SRT opens numbers for “CP Group” to manage the Airport Rail Link train after being the concessionaire to operate the high-speed rail project connecting 3 airports, experiencing an average loss of 70 million baht per month because travelers have not yet recovered. Although there is no transfer of management rights as it is in the process of reviewing the joint venture concession from the impact of COVID-19
Mr. Nirut Maneepan, Governor of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), revealed that SRT has not yet transferred the right to manage the Airport Rail Link project to Asia Erawan Co., Ltd from C. P Group, the company’s concessionaire. high speed train project (High Speed Train) connecting three airports (Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, U-Tapao) because it is waiting to amend the joint venture contract to complete the project.
After amending the joint venture agreement, Asia Erawan has to pay for the right to manage the Airport Rail Link project about 10,671 million baht, but the spread of COVID-19 has affected the private sector. Leads to the submission of an application to amend the joint venture concession contract. Part of the payment for managing the original Airport Rail Link rights must be completed by October 24, 2021, adjusted to installment payments
However, the SRT has previously entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Asia Erawan to resolve the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. The private sector has already paid 1,067.10 million baht or 10% of the airport rail link royalties under the joint venture agreement to SRT, indicating its intention to manage the project in accordance with the conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding.
“At the moment, although the private sector has not been given the right to officially manage the Airport Rail Link. and has not yet paid the correct management fee to the State Railway of Thailand but the private sector is still paying for the administration AND interest on the payment of project management rights of the full amount of 10,671 million baht to the State Railway of Thailand every month, as well as collecting fare box revenue sent to the State Railway of Thailand every month.
Regarding the conditions in the Memorandum of Understanding, it was said that Asia Era One would be responsible for providing a bus service. Along with collecting the income and sending it to the SRT afterwards, report the actual expenses incurred for the SRT to consider If the income is lower than the expenses The private sector must bear the burden themselves, for example, earn 100 baht but with a cost of 170 baht, Asia Erawan must pay the excess amount of 70 baht, but if the income is higher than the costs Must submit the profit margin for the SRT.
Regarding the overview of the performance of the Airport Rail Link, the current loss is about 70 million baht per month, with Asia Erawan responsible for the difference in losses. And if Asia Erawan takes over the Airport Rail Link, the average monthly loss is about 70 million baht or the expenses have already been at least 1,000 million baht.
Currently, Airport Rail Link passengers are around 1.87 million people per month, while before the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019, passengers were around 2.5 million people per month. Port Rail Link to the private sector has had quite a lot of complaints from the public about the service, such as the air conditioner being cold, the crowd of passengers and waiting for the train for a long time Who has assigned the relevant person of the SRT to examine and negotiate with the company. To speed up improvements to solve various problems
