BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn has assured passengers that the Airport Rail Link will continue operating from Oct 1, even if the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has to bear additional costs or losses during the transition to a new operator.
Speaking after discussions with the SRT, Phiphat outlined plans to maintain services when the current operating arrangement with Asia Era One Co, Ltd, part of the Charoen Pokphand (CP) group, ends on Sept 30, 2026. The company also holds the concession for the high-speed railway project linking three airports.
Phiphat said the Transport Ministry would take every possible step to prevent disruption to passengers, with continued operation of the Airport Rail Link taking priority throughout the handover.
The ministry has instructed the SRT to negotiate with the existing private operator to continue running the service for another two to four months, giving the state railway time to prepare for the takeover.
Under the longer-term plan, an SRT subsidiary would assume responsibility for operations. Experienced personnel from the existing operator would be brought in to work alongside staff from the subsidiary to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted service.
Alongside the management transition, the Airport Rail Link is facing a shortage of operational trains. Inspections identified worn wheels, leaving only four trains available from the nine required for daily operations.
An SRT update said some trains that had passed inspections could return to service immediately, with further trains brought back over the following days. The initial target is to restore the operational fleet to five or six trains, with maintenance expected to be completed by Monday (Sept 14).
Trains undergoing repairs must complete the required safety inspections and maintenance procedures before returning to service. The SRT will also prepare a plan to increase the number of available trains and ease the disruption.
Phiphat said the SRT would face a financial burden after taking over operations, with the Airport Rail Link expected to incur losses of approximately THB30 million a month, equivalent to THB360 million a year.
To help offset those losses, the SRT plans to generate additional revenue by developing vacant station space for commercial use. Private businesses would be invited to rent space to sell goods and services, with the proceeds used to reduce the operating shortfall.
The financial terms that the current operator might seek in return for continuing services temporarily have not been finalised.
Phiphat said the Transport Ministry was ready to support the SRT fully and would hold further discussions on funding sources to cover the costs of maintaining services. - The Nation/ANN
