Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak is pushing to make sure the Pink and Yellow electric rail routes are the first two projects up and running under the government's public-private partnership (PPP) scheme to boost the country's economy.
Mr Somkid, who also oversees the country's economic affairs, met Wednesday withthe bidders for the the Pink Line (Khae Rai-Chaengwattana-Min Buri section) and the Yellow Line (Lat Phrao-Samrong section) rail projects.
The meeting was attended by the two bidders -- Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Co (BEM) and the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC) -- as well as Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) governor Peerayudh Singpatanakul.
Mr Somkid said the government will expedite the bidding to seek a winner in the next month so construction of the two lines can begin next year.
They will be the first two projects for which the government will conduct bidding under the PPP to spur economic growth by linking up parts of the transport network.
Meanwhile, Mr Peerayudh said the MRTA will also open bidding on six electric rail projects next year.
The six are the Purple Line extension (Tao Pun-Rat Burana); the extended Blue Line (Bang Khae-Phutthamonthon Sai 4); the Orange Line's eastern section (Thailand Cultural Centre-Min Buri); the Orange Line's western section (Thailand Cultural Centre-Taling Chan); and the two Green Line extensions from Samut Prakan to Bang Pu and from Khu Kot-Lam Luk Ka.
Mr Peerayudh said the MRTA will forward plans for the six projects to the cabinet soon and bidding was expected to take place next year.
As well as the six lines, Mr Peerayuth said the MRTA also planned to develop a light-rail project in Phuket province. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) was studying the project details.
Commenting on the troubled Purple Line (Bang Yai-Tao Pun), the MRTA governor admitted the agency was suffering heavy losses of about four million baht a day because of a lack of passengers resulting from it not having a direct link to Bang Sue station.
When it opened, the Purple Line served about 20,000 commuters a day.
The number of passengers later increased to 22,000 a day after fares were halved.
Despite currently serving 23,000-24,000 passengers a day, the agency is still making a loss, Mr Peerayudh said.
