Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is to launch a tender for USD 1.14 billion tram project in Phuket in the middle of next year after the amended design will be accepted and the project will be approved by the Government of Thailand.

The changes to the project include the addition of tunnels and elevated sections.

The project will be implemented as a PPP. The estimated budget of the project is BHT 34.5 billion (USD 1.14 billion). The project involves the development of a 42km light rail line, running from Phuket International Airport in the north of the island of Phuket to Chalong intersection in the south of Phuket. The line will feature 21 stations along the route, including 19 at-grade stations, 1 elevated station and 1 underground station. The railway system used will be Light Rail Transit.

The concession will run for 25 years after the completion of the line in 2023.

In the meantime, the Department of Highways in Thailand has temporarily halted the development of the project and requested MRTA to conduct the study on the impact of the project.

According to the director-general of the department Sarawut Songsiriwilai, the estimated number of passengers needs to be reconsidered, because it is thought to be inaccurate at the moment. Also, the travel behaviour of the residents needs to be studied and the number of foreign tourists visiting Phuket in the future estimated. “The board still believes that the project is feasible and that the thorough study of impacts in all dimensions will help improve investors’ confidence in the project.”

MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantaramas said that the additional studies should not impact the bidding process.