SRT Eyes Solutions for Airport Rail Link Operations Amid Contract Expiry

BANGKOK — The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is preparing measures to ensure uninterrupted Airport Rail Link (ARL) services after its private operator’s contract expires on September 30, while the government is also seeking a resolution to problems surrounding the high-speed rail project linking three airports. SRT board chairman Piyapong Jiwongkulpaisarn and SRT governor Anan Phon-nimdaeng met Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn at Government House to discuss the issues. Piyapong said the delegation briefed Anutin on the Airport Rail Link contract, which is due to expire at the end of September, amid concerns over continuity of services for passengers. The issue is also linked to the high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao airports, which is being developed under a contract between the SRT and Asia Era One, a company under the Charoen Pokphand Group. Anutin instructed the SRT to ensure that Airport Rail Link services continue without disruption and to prepare contingency plans to take over operations if necessary. The SRT is also continuing negotiations with the private operator, which has submitted four conditions for continuing to run the service. Anan said the private company had initially agreed to continue operating the Airport Rail Link under the existing terms until January 31, 2027, while the SRT prepares for a possible transfer of operations. “After September 30, the private operator will continue running the service,” Anan said. He said the details of the arrangement, including the contract conditions, would be discussed by the relevant supervisory committee later this month before being submitted to the prime minister. The SRT board chairman said the proposed 60 million baht monthly operating cost was a separate arrangement from the four-month extension currently being discussed. The 60 million baht figure relates to a possible one-year operating contract, he said. The three-airport high-speed rail project will also be discussed by the supervisory committee, following a notice from the private operator seeking to terminate the contract. Anutin instructed officials to ensure that any action complies with laws and regulations and does not cause losses or disadvantage to the state or the SRT, Piyapong said. Piyapong said an urgent issue involved work under the three-airport project that is connected to the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway. Delays could affect other major infrastructure projects, including the Bangkok–Nakhon Ratchasima high-speed railway and the Missing Link rail connection between Phaya Thai and Bang Sue. He said authorities would seek solutions as quickly as possible to prevent further delays from affecting the wider rail network.