Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post
State Railway of Thailand plans to spend 4.6 billion baht on 115 new air-conditioned carriages in a bid to compete with bus services and airlines.
Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about the SRT’s plans.
Permanent secretary for transport Soithip Traisuth said on October 17 that the SRT has signed a contract with BBC Joint Venture to purchase new air-conditioned train carriages.
BBC JV comprises Khao Lak Bamboo Orchid Co, Ruammitr Mueang Rae Co and China Railway Construction Co. The new carriages will be equipped with beds for travel on long-haul routes.
PLANS ON TRACK
Procurement of the carriages was approved by the cabinet in 2010. It was part of the government’s 176 billion baht infrastructure development scheme for 2013-14.
Soithip said the SRT is in dire need of new carriages because existing air-con sleeper accommodation is old and insufficient to serve rising passenger numbers. The new carriages will also complement the government’s rail investment plans, since dual tracks are being constructed on several routes, Soithip said.
COMPETITIVE TRANSPORT
SRT deputy governor Viroj Triampongpan said the first delivery of 26 new carriages is scheduled to go ahead in August next year. The remaining carriages will be delivered throughout 2016. He said the agency hopes the new carriages will boost SRT services so that they can compete with inter-provincial buses and low-cost airlines. Viroj said this would help the organisation to clear its massive debts.
FAIR FARES
Viroj added that the SRT plans to increase surcharges for first-class and second-class sleeper services by 15 percent to help offset the cost of upgrading the trains.
Fares are made up of two parts — a principal fee and surcharges. The fare hike will only apply to the surcharges, so does not require approval from the Transport Ministry or cabinet. The increase in surcharges will be introduced once the 115 new sleeper carriages arrive.
Exercises
Read the story. Then, decide whether the following statements are true or false.
1. State Railway of Thailand plans to spend 4.6 billion baht on 151 new air-conditioned carriages.
………………
2. The first delivery of 26 new carriages is scheduled to be completed in April next year.
………………
3. The SRT plans to increase surcharges for first-class and second-class sleeper services by 15 percent.
………………
4. Procurement of the carriages was approved by the cabinet in 2010.
………………
Vocabulary
- procurement (n): the process of obtaining something, especially for a government or an organisation
the cabinet (n): a group of the most important government ministers, responsible for advising and deciding on government policy
dire (adj): very serious
surcharge (n): an extra amount of money that you must pay in addition to the usual price
principal (adj): main; most important
