Thailand's Subway Operator to Buy 35 New Trains for $604 Million
Bangkok. Thailand’s metro and expressway operator, Bangkok Express and Metro, on Thursday (14/09) said it has ordered 35 new trains for 20 billion baht, or $604.23 million.
"The number of commuters increased significantly after the blue and purple lines were connected in August," said managing director Sombat Kitjalaksana, referring to the two lines in Bangkok’s mass rapid transit system. In response to "rapidly increasing passenger numbers, BEM has already ordered 35 new trains as part of the blue line extension investment," he told reporters.
The company will issue bonds worth 5 billion baht and seek loans to finance the purchase, he added.
BEM, a subsidiary of construction company CH Karnchang, said it expects revenue to increase 20 percent and passenger traffic to increase 10 percent this year.
After the two lines were joined, there was an addition of 20,000 daily passengers, while revenue increased from 6.99 million baht per day to 7.72 million baht per day
The company also plans the extend the blue line with three new stations in Bangkok by 2020.
Reuters
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