Alstom has been awarded by Ch. Karnchang Public Company Limited, one of Thailand’s leading general contractors and basic infrastructure designer, a contract worth €14 million to extend Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) existing Green Line. Alstom will participate in the works to design and build the trackwork and the third rail power collector from Bearing to Samutpakran Station as well as the 48 acre depot that will house 40×3 car trains intended to circulate on the extended line.

The extension will add nine stations from Bearing to Samutpakran at a total length of 12.6km and aims to carry up to 57,000 passengers per day. The project is set to begin construction at the end of 2014 and completed in 2017.

This project is part of Thailand’s program to improve its public transport infrastructure and better address the growing traffic congestion issues.  With more than 3 million cars and nearly 3 million motorcycles in Bangkok, the Thai government has decided to invest Bt2.2trillion (€52.7 billion) in infrastructure development programmes which results in 55 projects of which 31 (representing 64% of the budget) will be dedicated to Rail transport. The extension of the green line is part of the program led by the Thai government.

The Green Line, better known as the Sukhumvit Line, currently extends from Mo Chit, located close to the popular Chatuchak Weekend Market to Bearing in the Bang Na District. The extended line will enable more residents of the city of Bankgok to opt for a safer, cleaner mode of transport.

Dominique Pouliquen, Senior Vice President of Alstom Transport Asia Pacific declares “We are excited to take a key role in the development of Thailand’s transport infrastructure. The confidence shown in Alstom, backed by what we have delivered for the blue line, is a true testament to our technology and expertise and further consolidates our position as the leading metro system provider in Asia.”

Press Release of Alstom, 2 September 2013