The board of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has agreed to hire Bangkok Expressway & Metro Plc (BEM) to install electricity and signal systems along the Blue Line between Tao Pun and Bang Sue.
The move came after Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha used his power under Section 44 of the interim charter to speed up negotiations between the MRTA and BEM -- which operates the Blue Line -- on who will run two Blue Line extensions: the Bang Sue-Tha Phra route and Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae route.
This is also expected to fix the one-kilometre ''missing link'' problem when the Purple Line linking Nonthaburi and Bangkok opens. The Purple Line connects to the Bang Sue-Tha Phra Blue Line extension at Tao Pun station.
Speaking after the MRTA board meeting yesterday, deputy governor Peerayudh Singpatanakul said BEM would conduct a test run by next month on the missing link between Tao Pun and Bang Sue stations, which is expected to be serviced by March next year at the latest.
The board also agreed in principle to hire BEM to operate the two Blue Line extensions, he said. Details about revenue sharing and how to connect the existing Blue Line from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue are expected to be presented to the transport ministry next week.
"The order made by the National Council for Peace and Order means BEM will be called on to proceed with the Blue Line extensions as well as addressing the missing link," said Mr Peerayudh.
He added the company is expected to sign the contract to install the systems along the missing link by next month at a cost of 693 million baht.
The governor said the MRTA will set guidelines for negotiations with BEM, which will be sent to the ministry for approval.
A committee and a Blue Line supervising panel will review the guidelines and negotiate with BEM, with talks to be wrapped up by mid-October.
The State Enterprise Policy Office and the cabinet are expected to approve the deal with BEM by November before sending it to a legal team to examine.
The deal is expected to be signed by December this year, he added.
Referring to the missing link in the Purple Line, set to launch on on Saturday, Mr Peerayudh said 15 buses have been prepared to shuttle people between Tao Pun and Bang Sue.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit said the government is supporting the Port Authority of Thailand's projects to upgrade Laem Chabang port and establish a depot handling containers delivered by cargo trains.
The projects are aimed at boosting shipments, reducing the number of lorries carrying goods to Laem Chabang Port, improving logistics and saving fuel.
With the use of cargo trains, private operators would save between 5-10% on logistics costs, the minister said.