Electronics, maintenance deal signed for Purple Line
The Marubeni Corporation and Toshiba Corporation have signed a contract covering the electrical and electronic systems and maintenance operations of the Purple Line, a new 23-kilometre-stretch of track that will become part of Bangkok's mass-transit under
The Purple Line will run from Bang Yai in Nonthaburi Province, northwest of Bangkok, through downtown districts to Bang Sue in the south of the city. Now under construction, the line will be Bangkok’s second mass-transit line and is expected to start operations in 2016. It is being developed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) under a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme funded by Japanese government yen credits.
Ch. Karnchang Public Company Limited (CK), a leading Thai builder and infrastructure developer, is constructing the line, which will be operated by Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL).
Under a contract with CK, Marubeni and Toshiba will equip the Purple Line with rolling stock, power distribution equipment, signalling, control systems and telecommunications. The rolling stock, a total of 63 cars, will be manufactured by Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC), a member of the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) Group.
Under the 10-year contract with BMCL, Marubeni and Toshiba will provide maintenance services for the rolling stock and the Purple Line’s electrical systems. The two companies, with JR East, will establish a maintenance service company in Bangkok to provide BMCL with the necessary support services.
The Purple Line will be the first line in Bangkok’s rail network to deploy Japanese rolling stock – and also the first overseas project where a Japanese team will deliver long-term maintenance services for a railway line.
Marubeni has successfully delivered full turnkey rail systems in Venezuela, the Philippines and Dubai, and Toshiba has experience that includes developing the management system for Taiwan High-Speed Rail, while JR East has expertise in reliable railway technology and services.
Marubeni is expanding its infrastructure business-package exports, based on the results of its successful supply records of turnkey rail system projects to overseas markets.
Toshiba aims to strengthen its railway business in Asean, where the company believes there is further market potential, while continuing to expand its global business.
