The Khon Kaen Light Rail Transit Project is a planned 22.6-kilometre (14.0 mi) light rail transit system consisting of an initial 16 stations to serve Khon Kaen Province in north-east Thailand.[1] A Phase 2 3.5-kilometre (2.2 mi) five-station extension is also planned. The line will have both at-grade and elevated sections. Fares are expected to be a flat 15 baht.[2] Construction is set to begin in 2024.[3]
History
The original plan for mass transit in Khon Kaen consisted of a four line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network which was proposed in 2012.[4] By 2014, a master plan for the BRT network had been finalised.[5]
However, in early 2015, Khon Kaen Mayor proposed converting the long North-South Red BRT line into a light rail line as part of Khon Kaen's Smart City development program and to integrate with the future planned North East high speed rail to Nong Khai. By mid 2015, a feasibility study was commissioned for a light rail line.[6] In mid March 2016, the Thai government signed a decree approving the project and provided a budget to complete the feasibility study and design of the project.[7] In March 2017, the Khon Kaen Mayor announced that a private company, Khon Kaen Transit System Co., owned by Khon Kaen City and 4 surrounding municipalities would be established to operate the line.[8]
In July 2017, it was announced that the tender for the project was to be issued and awarded by the end of 2017.[9] However, this did not occur as the feasibility study by Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) evaluating the design and operations had not been completed.[10] The OTP study was completed in February 2018[11] and the project was formally approved by the government in October 2018.[2]
As of December 2018, bidding on the project is scheduled to commence no later than February 2019, with construction beginning immediately after the process concludes within next year.[12]
In November 2021 the Khon Kaen Transit System Co signed an MOA with CRRC to form a joint venture for construction.[13][14]
|Prototype Tram built by Rajamangala University of Technology Isan
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