The chairman, who is also a member of the government’s ruling cabinet, explained his position by saying there were two choices open for the line and trains connecting the city’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and Makkasan and Phaya Thai stations. He stated they could either be run under franchise or by getting companies to invest in return for a share of the profits.
The ruling junta government has already given state enterprises warning that they need to clean up their acts and become profitable. The SRT was one of the bodies cited in the government’s warning.
SRT wields overall responsibility for the Airport Rail Link through its affiliate the SRT Electrified Train. This company has operated services on the line since it opened in August 2010.
The SRT Electrified Train has racked up THB30 billion in debts since its inception. Most of this was a hangover from original infrastructure outlay as the link did not attract the forecast number of passengers during its first years in operation.
Thai rail operator supports airport link franchise
News in Asia
The chairman of Thailand’s state-run railway company has stated he is in favour of asking a private operator to run services on Bangkok’s airport rail link. Tawatchai Samutsakhon is the head of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and he says that the role of a private company taking charge of the link needs to be debated.