The OTP says these are the two main options for a rail system which will link Chiang Mai Old City to its other inner districts. Overground is cheaper and will be up and running a lot quicker than underground.
Meeting attendees were told overground trains will have a maximum speed of 20kph and will be subject to the same traffic restrictions as other road vehicles. On the plus side, the estimated cost of launching this system is THB30,000 million and a launch date three years after it breaks ground.
12GO ASIA says underground is always going to be more expensive and take longer to build. In the case of Chiang Mai, underground comes with a price tag three times as high and an estimated completion time of six years from start to finish.
The benefit of underground is top speeds of 35kph and no traffic lights or traffic jams. Once the OTP committee has taken into account the different opinions expressed at the meeting it will submit a final proposal to the Thai government.
Chiang Mai weighs up two options for new urban rail system
News in Asia
The relevant agencies in Chiang Mai have staged a final public debate on the best choice for an urban rail system. Representatives from the national Office of Transport and Traffic Policy (OTP) presided over the meeting which weighed up the pros and cons of underground or overground lines.