The BSV Group, led by skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), has won the bid to develop the so-called single ticketing scheme for Bangkok's mass transit systems.
BSV Group offered the lowest bid of 339.6 million baht, well below the median price of 438 million baht, said Prinya Thanadthang, chairman of the Office of the Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP) committee handling the bid.
The contract is expected to be signed with BSV by next month and the 30-month project that will allow passengers to travel on three types of train transport with a single ticket should begin by September, Mr Prinya said yesterday.
Six companies intended to enter the bid but only three met the criteria, he said.
Padej Praditpech, acting director of the OTTPP department responsible for implementing the single ticketing policy, said the system would initially be applied to the skytrain, the subway, and Airport Link.
Testing of the scheme should begin in March, 2016, he said.
The Expressway Authority of Thailand (Exat), meanwhile, defended its purchase of 20 firefighting motorcycles at a cost of 29.48 million baht, saying the motorcycles are crucial for a rapid response in the event of a fire on expressways.
The vehicles were not overpriced as alleged by critics.
"Motorcycle procurement was conducted strictly in line with the regulations," Exat governor Aiyanut Tinaphai said yesterday.
An electronic auction was used to select one of six firms interested in providing the 20 motorcycles for Exat, he said.
T J Advance Engineering Co offered the lowest price and won the bid, Mr Aiyanut said.
"Everything has been done properly and with full transparency," he added.
Rumours had spread online that the actual price per motorcycle that Exat agreed to buy at was 344,000 baht, which was about 1 million baht lower than the price Exat agreed to pay.
The motorcycles are equipped with a tank containing a fire extinguishing chemical and safety devices. They can quickly reach vehicles on the expressway which catch fire.
On Jan 6, Exat approved the bid results in which T J Advance Engineering Co won with a bid 159,000 baht lower than the median price.
The company promised to deliver the motorcycles to Exat next Monday.
Mr Aiyanut said each motorcycle costs about 1.47 million baht and this price might seem high to some.
But he explained that the Kawasaki motorcycles Exat agreed to purchase were not mass-produced but were made to order.
Similar models sold overseas could cost up to 3 million baht each, Mr Aiyanut said.
The firefighting equipment uses a compressed air foam system (CAFS) capable of spraying over a longer range than a normal fire extinguisher, the Exat governor said.
A CAFS is used in firefighting work to deliver fire retardant foam for the purpose of extinguishing a fire or protecting unburned areas from erupting into flames.
The Kawasaki model also has larger storage than vehicles of similar type, said Mr Aiyanut.
The motorcycles would also come with an Axixtech Xtreme warning light (Model 09 LED), a siren, a Motorola GM338 mobile two-way radio, firefighter protection gear, gloves, and a safety helmet, he said.
Everything meets international standards and that is the reason why the cost is high, according to Mr Aiyanut.
These motorcycles are crucial especially during heavy traffic on expressways.
It may be impossible for fire engines to get to a fire scene quickly, he said.