BMA tries to soothe foreign firms' fears over transit system plans
Foreign railway-equipment companies have expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding Thailand's mass-transit policy, but the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority's Traffic and Transportation Department insists that the government will go ahead with the 1
During this week’s seventh annual “Railworld Summit” in Bangkok, Orawit Hemajutha, deputy director of the department, said the government expected to start construction all 10 new Skytrain routes within four years.
Most participants in the summit, which ends tomorrow, are foreign businesspeople dealing in train technology who have paid close attention to Thailand’s plans for development of its rail system.
“Many of them had questions about Thailand’s electric-train project on concerns over any possible change,” Orawit said. “I told them that the project had been considered carefully. It is a clear plan without any change. The government will certainly proceed with 10 [new] Skytrain lines.”
To reduce traffic congestion in Bangkok and its vicinity, the central government plans to lessen travel via private cars, promote traffic discipline, and encourage people to travel more on the mass-transit systems, Orawit said.
“The BMA, together with traffic police, is responsible for installation of traffic lights and traffic management. Speed-detection technology is applied for traffic management. It also helps lessen the [traffic-control] workforce.
“We also supervise mass-transit services. Having several commuter-rail operators will not hinder management. In other countries, there are several operators. Their routes are smoothly connected,” Orawit said.
He said Thailand would promote development of areas close to mass-transit stations to add value to the project.
The government may have to make it more convenient for people to access the transit system to encourage them to use its services.
