The Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) has fast-tracked its efforts to launch the South Green Line linking Bearing to Samut Prakan next year.
MRTA acting governor Rithika Suparat on Tuesday said the agency was pushing for faster transfer of the electric rail line's operation to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
However, a backup plan was also devised with a measure to hire the Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC) to operate the line instead of City Hall, Mr Rithika said. The move came after City Hall failed to settle debts and assets of the line's infrastructure construction with the MRTA, raising the prospect of delays.
Peraphon Thawornsupacharoen, deputy permanent secretary for transport, said the MRTA must find solutions as soon as possible. The board needed to make a clear decision which will be submitted to the ministry as well as a transport and traffic policy and planning committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, respectively.
If City Hall is unable to settle the debts with the MRTA, a test run can be launched first in which passengers can enjoy free rides. Deputy city clerk Sompong Wiengkaew said City Hall has yet to settle on ratios of the rail line's debts and assets, as the agency had no knowledge of how much it can absorb by way of the debts. Initially, City Hall proposed the government take responsibility for all debts.
In another development, the extension of the South Green Line (Samut Prakan-Khu Khot) and the extension of the North Green Line (Kho Khot-Lam Luk Ka) were proposed to the cabinet, a source said. Once approved, the terms of reference for both projects will be drafted before bids are called next year.