German firm to run airport rail

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German firm to run airport rail link  
Bangkok Post: 8 Oct 2009
www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/25210/german-firm-picked-to-run-airport-rail-link

German firm picked to run airport rail link

An overseas company will operate the express rail link to Suvarnabhumi Airport for the first few years of its operation, the State Railway of Thailand says.

The SRT union has opposed a plan to set up a subsidiary to operate the service, so an overseas contractor would be hired instead, SRT governor Yuthana Thapcharoen said yesterday.

DB International GmbH, which is installing the operating system for the railway link and training staff, would be hired to run the service as well, he said.

The link is scheduled to open in April. Mr Yuthana said the SRT would need over 500 million baht from the government as a start-up fund to run the Airport Rail Link.

The sum will cover management costs, insurance for trains and passengers, and the cost of running the railway stations.

The governor was among passengers who went on an unofficial trial run of the rail link yesterday. The SRT handed out free tickets to the public.

Further trial runs will be held on Oct 14, 21 and 28 and Nov 4. Daily trial runs will be held from Dec 5 to April.

Mr Yuthana said passengers on the test run from Makkasan station to the airport gave the service a thumbs up.