The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, or MRTA, is accelerating efforts to finalise the approach for procuring an operator for the Purple Line South, aiming to submit it to the Cabinet for approval by the end of this year. Initially, the authority views the most suitable model as selecting a service provider without a bidding process, under the framework of the Public-Private Partnership Act, or PPP, so that operations can connect seamlessly with the Purple Line North. It will negotiate with or select Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited, or BEM, which operates the Purple Line North. The negotiation process is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2027 under a Gross Cost contract in which the government collects fare revenue itself. It will then procure train sets, which takes about three years, while still targeting full commercial service by 2030, with a backup plan to open in phases if there are delays. On the common ticket measure, fares will be set at 17 to 45 baht, and duplicate entry fees will be scrapped when passengers connect between multiple lines. The Blue Line, Purple Line, Yellow Line and Pink Line are already equipped to accept EMV Contactless cards, while the Green Line and Gold Line, which are under the supervision of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, are in the process of drafting a memorandum of understanding with the MRTA to transfer the projects for management. The common ticket system is targeted to start on 1 January 2027. In addition, the MRTA plans to develop nearly 70 commercial areas along the Purple Line, Blue Line and Orange Line under the PPP model, holding auctions separated by zone and type of activity, starting with plots that have high potential. It is giving priority to the Rama IX-Ratchadaphisek area, which will be developed into a mixed-use project featuring a convention and exhibition centre, a health and medical services centre, and sports activities. Currently, the MRTA earns about 300 million baht per year from commercial area development and aims to increase this to more than 2 billion baht per year within 10 years, or during 2027-2037, to offset the decline in concession revenue sharing that will gradually end after 2029, and to use part of the revenue to support the government's common ticket measure over the long term.
Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company LimitedMRTA plans to negotiate with or directly select BEM, which operates the Purple Line North, as operator of the Purple Line South, giving it a new service contract.
