The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) anticipates that daily passengers for the Phuket light rail will exceed 70,000 people per day. The Ministry of Transport is expediting the proposal for a public-private partnership (PPP) plan to be submitted to the Cabinet by June 2018 before opening bids for the project worth 39.4 billion baht by the end of next year.

          Mr. Rittika Supharat, Acting Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) revealed that the progress of the light rail (tram) project in Phuket is currently in the process of hiring a private firm to study the feasibility of the PPP approach, which is expected to take about six months. However, it is believed that the project can move forward quickly without major issues, as it is a government policy aimed at encouraging investment in electric rail systems in major provinces to address local traffic problems.

          Sources from the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) indicated that the Phuket light rail project, covering the route from Thanu to Phuket Airport to Chalong Intersection, has a budget of 39.4 billion baht. The government has set a target for the Ministry of Transport to expedite the study of the PPP model to be completed within the first quarter of 2018. Subsequently, the project must be submitted for approval from the Cabinet within June, with the aim of opening bids to select a private partner to implement the project within 2018. This project is included in the urgent investment package for the fiscal year 2017 (PPP Fast Track), with the first phase of construction starting from Phuket Airport to Chalong Intersection, expected to take three years and comprising six underpasses and one elevated station at Phuket International Airport. The anticipated passenger volume is as high as 70,000 people per day, as the route passes more than 40 schools and includes commercial community areas, along with strong supporting factors from the millions of tourists visiting the province each year. This makes the project's financial performance attractive for investment, especially considering the fare rates of 15-25 baht per trip.

          “The Phuket light rail is a project that has strong support from the local community to address traffic issues and develop the transportation system for the people of Phuket. Therefore, it should serve as a model city for future electric rail construction in other provinces. The OTP emphasizes understanding with the local residents, who have shown readiness to cooperate and sacrifice some land to facilitate construction. Particularly, they are willing to adjust their traffic behavior once construction begins,” the source stated.

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