3-4-2024 (BANGKOK) The Thai government is currently evaluating potential contractual remedies against the operators of the city’s Pink and Yellow monorail lines in response to recent incidents. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit has highlighted that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) holds the authority to impose fines on the operators, Northern Bangkok Monorail and Eastern Bangkok Monorail, respectively. These fines could amount to 5% of the annual installment for the construction cost, which the MRTA is obliged to pay the concessionaires.
In addition to the fines, the MRTA may also opt to suspend the payment of annual installments if the concessionaires fail to pass a performance assessment, scheduled to take place within the next three months.
The minister’s statement comes in the wake of two separate incidents involving the city’s monorail lines last week. These incidents have raised concerns about the construction quality and overall safety of the system.
One incident occurred on Thursday when services along the Yellow Line had to be temporarily suspended due to metal fragments breaking off from the tracks. These fragments caused damage to several vehicles on the road below.
Another mishap took place on Saturday, involving the Pink Line’s spur line to Muang Thong Thani. Concrete spilled off a construction site on the elevated tracks, resulting in damage to a car and injuries to a passenger.
Earlier, on January 2, a Yellow Line train experienced a tire detachment between Thipphawan and Si Thepha stations on Thepharak Road, causing damage to a taxi below.
This incident followed closely after a section of conductor rail on the Pink Line broke free from the tracks, damaging parked cars along Tiwanon Road in Nonthaburi.
According to Mr. Suriya, Eastern Bangkok Monorail, the operator of the Yellow Line that launched in July last year, is entitled to receive 25.05 billion baht in construction costs from the state. This amount is divided into ten annual installments of 2.5 billion baht.
Similarly, Northern Bangkok Monorail, the concessionaire of the Pink Line that commenced operations on January 3, is entitled to receive 22.5 billion baht in construction costs, distributed across ten annual installments of 2.25 billion baht.
Mr. Suriya added that a new law on rail transport, set to take effect soon, will grant the Department of Rail Transport increased authority to regulate safety measures and practices for all rail operators. This development aims to enhance the overall safety standards of Thailand’s rail systems.
