BEM is launching the 'Orange Line Electric Railway' this August, hoping to negotiate new jobs to push it to 300 billion.

After PEM received the concession contract for the Orange Line project, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited or PEM Managing Director Mr. Sompat Kitjalak said. In the Bang Khun Non – Min Buri (Suwinthawong) division, today (July 23) CH Karnsong Public Company Limited or CK signed a contract for the construction of civil works in the west. Non-Bang Khun Thai Cultural Center procures and installs the electric train system for the entire project.

Cultural Center to Eastern Section – Minburi is scheduled to be completed within 3 years and 6 months and BEM is confident that this section can be definitely opened before the deadline. And the Western phase is scheduled to be completed within 6 years with a grace period of 30 years from opening for service in the Eastern phase.

“The PEM is ready to implement the project allotted by the government. Regarding the construction of civil works in the Western Region, BEM has prepared a team with experience, knowledge and expertise in the construction of large, complex infrastructures such as CK which will be available immediately in August.

Regarding procurement and installation of electric train system, Mr. Sompat also said that currently, negotiations are underway with the manufacturer to order 53 electric trains, divided into 32 electric trains to be used on the Orange Line and an additional 21 electric trains for the Silver Blue Line project. It can be seen from past projects that it mainly uses German and Japanese manufacturers.

BEM has prepared a loan for a total investment of 140 billion baht. The credit limit obtained from the Bank of Bangkok was about 120 billion baht, which was divided into 90,000 million baht for civil works in the west and 30,000 million baht for the electric railway system works. and other sources of funding such as bonds.In the first year of Eastern service, ridership is estimated to be approximately 120,000 people/day, and when the entire route opens, 17-44 is expected to have 300,000 passengers per day.

Mr Sompath added that this year is considered to be a good year for BEM, as the management's profits from both existing concession projects like electric trains and expressways are increasing. It has now bounced back after low profits during COVID-19 and is making new high profits every year from rising passenger numbers. Coupled with effective cost control and low financial costs, it is therefore an important factor driving the company's operational results. continues to grow

By securing the concession for the Orange Line project, it is considered a new S-curve for BEM, helping to increase its ability to continue running the business. Ancillary revenue for the original offer like the Blue Line because it sends more users to the system Since the opening of the Orange Line in the East, approximately 80% of passengers will immediately join the Blue Line. This leads to better cost management relative to the size of the business (economy of scale) and enables the company to grow exponentially.

Mr. Bongsarit Thandiswanichukul BEM Executive Committee Chairman, BEM is worth 250 billion baht, increasing from the existing 120 billion baht, by acquiring the Orange Line project (double deck) and the Southern Purple Line, Tao Poon – Rat Burana section (Kanchanapisek Ring Road), train operation. The government is examining the merits of selecting a private operator to manage. A decision is expected to be reached by this year as the PEM is ready to negotiate in all its forms. If the government has a policy to implement it, BEM will have a balance of up to 300 billion baht on hand.