Thai authorities discuss Airport Ling development plan

BANGKOK, June 9 (TNA) - In order to improve Airport Link services, an advance Thai electric train system, there are needs to speed up the procurement of more trains and the extension of rail service to Bangkok's Phayathai station and to manage rail traffics during rush hours. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, after holding talks with Transport Minister Chatchart Sithipan to discuss on the extended Airport Link management plan, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittirat Na-Ranong said that the Airport Link has generated higher revenues and has, hence, achieved lower loss after the improvement in its services. On a planned extension of the Airport Link services from Thailand's main Suvanabhumi International Airport to Don Muang Airport in the outskirts of Bangkok, the deputy premier acknowledged that a feasibility study needs to be conducted to see whether the construction of its new rail line is cost effective, as the construction of the Bangkok Mass Raid Transit's extended electric train system, Red Line, linking Bang Sue area in Bangkok with Rangsit in the capital's suburb is underway. Meanwhile, Chatchart told reporters that the construction of the extended Airport Link project to Don Muang Airport has been initially estimated to cost around 32 billion baht and, if complete, some 100,000 people are expected to use the service daily. Chatchart also said the procurement of new trains will take at least a year; therefore efforts, in the meantime, should be made to improve on board services, the linking with subway and skytrain systems, car parks and passengers’ access to taxi services. (TNA)