Type Commuter rail Termini Thammasat
Maha Chai | Status Under Construction Stations 36 | |
 | ||
System Bangkok Suburban Commuter Train Opened 2019 (est.) (Phase 1 Rangsit - Bang Sue)
2020 (est.) (Phase 2 Rangsit - Thammasat Uni)
2025 (est.) (Phase 3 Bang Sue - Hua Lamphong)
2029 (est.) (Phase 4 Hua Lamphong - Maha Chai) | ||
The Dark Red Line is part of the planned SRT Red Line suburban railway system to serve the greater Bangkok Metropolitan Region which includes Bangkok Province and 4 adjoining provinces. It will run north–south from Thammasat University's Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani Province to Maha Chai in Samut Sakhon Province.
Contents
- Progress
- New Intercity Terminal at Bang Sue Contract 1
- Rolling stock Contract 3
- Line segments
- Construction segments
- References
In February 2009, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva secured a 24 billion baht (US$685 million) loan from the Japanese Government for the 67 km (42 mi) segment. The first Phase from Bang Sue to Rangsit was approved in 2010 but delayed due to a complicated 2.5 year contractual dispute. However, Phase 1 finally started construction in 2013. In July 2016 the Cabinet approved the construction from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong.
Progress
The 21.6 km, 6 station (2 to be built later) Rangsit to Bang Sue section finally started construction in May 2013 after new contracts were signed in January 2013. A construction period of 3 years was stated. Construction works were delayed by 2 months due to site access issues for the contractor and delays related to removing slum dwellers residing within the right of way. However, it was hoped that the use of some of the old Hopewell pillars would speed up the initial construction timetable. By the end of 2013, the project was only 3% done & already months behind schedule due to a longer timetable in removing the Hopewell Pillars.
In June 2014, the SRT requested an additional 8.14 billion baht to modify the Dark Red line to 4 tracks instead of 3, to accordingly redesign all stations and to provide for the longer platforms for the Bang Sue Terminal to cater for future HSR lines. 8.140 billion baht request is; 4.32 billion baht for Contract 1 (modifications to Bangsue Central to cater for High Speed trains); 3.35 billion Baht for Contract 2 (4th track and stations redesign) and 473 million baht for Contract 3.
It is worth noting that the budget for the 1st Phase of the Dark Red Line project have progressively increased due to numerous delays and further redesign of the project. From an initial 59.89 billion baht in 2007, to 75.55 billion baht in 2009 and to 80.38 billion baht in 2012. The additional requested 8.14 billion baht will increase the current budget to 88.52 billion baht.
New Intercity Terminal at Bang Sue (Contract 1)
Contract 1 of the project is for the construction of a new, 4 level Intercity Terminal to cater for all SRT Intercity Trains, SRT Red Line suburban trains and the yet to be built Airport Rail Link extension. The delayed contract process was finally signed in January 2013. In August 2013, the SRT sought extra funds for the project to be redesigned in order to extend upper level platforms to a 400-600m length in order to accommodate future planned High Speed Lines. (Funding was finally requested in June 2014 - see above section)
In March 2013, the new Intercity Terminal at Bang Sue station started construction. Between March and June, excavation works for the foundation of the Terminal were delayed by the unearthing of numerous World War II unexploded bombs which required safe removal by army Explosive Ordnance Teams. As of July 2014, construction was 10% behind schedule.
The New Terminal was scheduled to open by end of 2016 but the above-mentioned redesign work will most likely delay this timetable.
Rolling stock (Contract 3)
The 3rd contract for the Dark Red Line is for electrical and systems (E&S) and procuring EMU rolling stock. An overhead cantenary electrical system is specified. As of April 2014, only 2 bidders remained but one of the bidding consortium's was disqualified on due to the fact that one of the consortium members (Maru Beni Corp) had convictions for bribery in an Indonesian bidding process.
This left MHSC Consortium (Mitsubishi and Hitachi and Sumitomo) as the sole bidder qualified for the contract. However, their bid of 28,899 Million Baht was above the SRT median price of 26 billion baht which was however set in 2010. The MHSC Consortium argued that their bid reflects 2013 prices after the minimum wage increase of January 2012. The coup of May 2014 has delayed the finalisation of this contract and negotiations are ongoing. Finally, after a 2-year delay in the bidding process, in July 2014 JICA approved the loan for Contract 3. Final contract approval from the military junta is pending.
Line segments
Construction segments
Construction segments based on M-Map: