Thailand's first China-made self-driving train arrives at port

By：Xinhua Update：2020-06-24

Thailand's first self-driving vehicle, the Bombardier Innovia Automated People Mover (APM) 300, has arrived at Laem Chabang Port in Thailand's eastern province of Chonburi on Thursday.

The train, manufactured in China, will be launched for the Gold Line project, a new people mover line in Bangkok this October. Two more APM trains will be delivered in August.

"The first phase of the 1.8-km route comprises of three stations. They are Krung Thonburi, Charoen Nakorn and Klong San," said Manit Techa-apichoke, president of the Krungthep Thanakom Co., Ltd, a public investment arm of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) responsible for infrastructure projects.

Manit said the overall construction work is now 89 percent complete.

The fare will be 15 baht for the whole route and will serve 42,260 passengers per day in the first year of the operation. Each train has two carriages with a capacity of 138 passengers.

Sumit Srisantithum, chief operating officer of Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited said the company was hired to procure APM trains and run the operation system and maintenance work for 30 years.

The new Gold Line APM route will run through key tourist attractions along the Chao Phraya River such as the Iconsiam shopping center and Lhong 1919.

Running at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour, the driverless rubber-tired APM can reduce noise and vibration levels, Manit said.Thailand's first self-driving vehicle, the Bombardier Innovia Automated People Mover (APM) 300, has arrived at Laem Chabang Port in Thailand's eastern province of Chonburi on Thursday.

The train, manufactured in China, will be launched for the Gold Line project, a new people mover line in Bangkok this October. Two more APM trains will be delivered in August.

Manit said the overall construction work is now 89 percent complete.

The fare will be 15 baht for the whole route and will serve 42,260 passengers per day in the first year of the operation. Each train has two carriages with a capacity of 138 passengers.

The new Gold Line APM route will run through key tourist attractions along the Chao Phraya River such as the Iconsiam shopping center and Lhong 1919.

Running at a maximum speed of 80 km per hour, the driverless rubber-tired APM can reduce noise and vibration levels, Manit said.