FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Sudden decision to change criteria for MRT bid infuriates BTS

Sudden decision to change criteria for MRT bid infuriates BTS

The Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) is threatening to go to court after Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) changed its evaluation criteria for bids on the MRT Orange Line.

Surapong Laoha-Unya, chief executive officer of BTS, one of the bidders for the MRT Orange Line which runs from Bang Khun Non to Min Buri, said MRTA’s recent decision to change the bidding criteria is unfair because the change was announced after bidding papers were sold to bidders.
MRTA decided that instead of basing 100 per cent of the evaluation on bidders’ technical proposal, it would base 30 per cent of the evaluation on technical proposal and 70 per cent on the price proposed.
So far, 10 companies have bought bidding envelopes for this Bt142.7 billion project, namely Bangkok Expressway and Metro, Bangkok Mass Transit System, BTS Group Holdings, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction, Italian-Thai Development, Ratch Group, Ch Karnchang, Gulf Energy Development, Sinohydro Corporation and Woranitath Development.
The project comprises the construction of a 13.4-kilometre track from Thailand Cultural Centre to Bang Khun Non stations as well as the installation and operation of a train system for the 35.9km from Min Buri to Bang Khun Non.
“We have filed an appeal with the State Enterprise Policy Office and MRTA board of directors to demand justice, as nothing like this happened in the past,” he said. “We are also thinking of taking this to court, but if in the end, the authorities say this change in criteria is within the law, then BTS will enter the bidding.”
Surapong also said the company is waiting for the Cabinet to approve the extension of its concession for the newly extended Green Line.
“Once the contract is signed, BTS will start adjusting the fare structure to a maximum of Bt65 for the line, while its extension from Lat Phrao to Khu Khot should be open to public within December,” he added.

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