Lakegeneve

On 5 June 2018 at 4:23 PM, Lakegeneve said:

ARL update:

The Eastern HSR tender is out and the expectation is that a winning bid will be awarded by July/August with work commencing by the end of the year ....if all goes smoothly - which it never does! http://www.railway.co.th/download/2561/Invitation-to-Tender-HSR3Airports.pdf

 

The Transport Ministry has decided that whoever wins the bid to build and run the Eastern HSR will also take over operating the ARL. The SRTET will be abolished and a new SRT entity will be established to manage the 4 planned HSR lines.

 

I now estimate that any new rolling stock for the ARL will not be available until 2022 at the earliest unless the previously mentioned leasing plan come to fruition - knowing the SRT it probably won't.

dantilley, I did say 2022 previously. However, we'll just have to wait and see who wins the tender (I'm betting on the CP Group) and exactly when works starts and what rolling stock they select. Lastly, when that order is placed.....;)

Another issue, which I've posted on a number of years ago is that the track is cheaper Chinese steel which is why the SRTET has had a lot of problems and has had to grind it so regularly. It will all need to be replaces at some stage before HSR ops commence so we can expect a complete shutdown of the line at some point - which most likely will be needed as I'd expect the signalling system will be upgraded/changed.

On 7 November 2018 at 11:59 AM, dantilley said:

Hi @Lakegeneve, do you have any updated information on the Airport Link? Specifically:

 

- When the carriages that are under maintenance will be completed and put back into service?

- When (if?) the 4th carriage on the old Express trains will be converted from a luggage carriage to a passenger carriage?

- When more rolling stock will be ordered?

 

 

Hi dantilley, you must feel like a broken record having to ask the same questions for the last few years. To be honest I don't know the exact progress of the Express baggage care conversion program. I'll need to go ask for an update.

Regarding the new rolling stock (the budget which was approved back in mid 2013), I previously mentioned that it has all been put on hold as whoever wins the Eastern HSR bid (the tender closes this week), will take over operations of the ARL and thus purchase new rolling stock.

Thus nothing new before 2023!!! How is that for a completely messed up process of obtaining (NOT) new rolling stock.

On 5 June 2018 at 4:37 PM, Lakegeneve said:

Progress of civil works for lines currently under construction;

 

1) MRT Blue Line ext: 98.25%

2) BTS Northern ext: 63.27%

3) MRT Orange Line: 8.62%

4) BTS Southern ext: 100%

5) MRT Pink line and MRT Yellow line: still mainly preliminary site works

6) SRT Dark Red Line: 97.94%

7) Tinky toy Gold Line: still mainly preliminary site works but supposedly it will be complete by Dec 2019

 

Progress of civil works for MRTA lines currently under construction as of 30 Sept;

1) MRT Blue Line ext: 100% - S&E installation: 61%

2) BTS Northern ext: 79%

3) MRT Orange Line: 18.33%

4) BTS Southern ext: 100% - - S&E installation: 73%

5) MRT Pink Line: 10.57%

6) MRT Yellow Line: 9.61%

On 6 October 2018 at 10:48 AM, Crossy said:

I don't see it in the English language press, but BMA have announced that the eastern extension of the BTS (past Samrong) will be free to use when it opens in December until "early next year".

 

Rabbit users need do nothing and travellers going outside the extension will be able to buy tickets from the machines, but travellers wishing to journey within the extension will need to visit the ticket office to get their free ticket.

 

Maximum fare for the entire system will be capped at 65 Baht.

 

Indeed, every BTS extension that has been opened has had a period of free travel for the extension - usually 2-3 months. e.g. On Nut to Bearing, Bearing to Sarong, WWY to Talat Phu. 

There are a couple of ironic issues here with this BMA practice. Firstly, every extension has opened up at least 1 year late from the original schedule. Thus, the BMA has not only foregone that income during the period the delay, but thereafter loses further income during the free travel period though this is also stated as a form of compensation to travellers arising from the delayed opening.

Secondly, in relation to this extension which is wholly outside Bangkok Province and was/is an MRTA project, the MRTA has basically 'dumped' the ownership (and debts) of the extension onto the BMA. The BMA has strongly resisted this. 

On 1/7/2018 at 2:27 PM, Lakegeneve said:

Before doing the next update I thought that I'd post these BTSC charts for some guidance (though not all dates are accurate)

 

1) Firstly, an update of current texts and lines which will be operated by the BTS Group. All of these lines/exts are MRTA projects.

 

Main points to note, the Samrong to Samut Prakan ext will open by Dec 2018 and work has started on the MRT Pink Monorail line. The operations dates for the MRT Pink and MRT Yellow lines are also unrealistic. Expect mid 2022 at the earliest.

2) Next group of lines that BTSC wants to bid for operations. Note that seem keen on the Orange line which will be news to BEM who will assume that they have the inside running.

 

Also, the suggested timelines on the BMA Grey monorail Line and the long proposed link from Bang Na to the Airport (called LRT here) are wildly optimistic. Cabinet and the MRTA already has Purple southern ext approved (tender delayed), the Orange Western ext and Blue Line west ext as priority projects to get tendered in the first half of 2018. Plus a couple of the SRT Red line ext.

 

I would think that the BTS Bang Wa to Taling Chan ext (Called Western here but actually it is the "South" line) will be tendered well before the BMA Grey line but let's see.

 

Also, both the BTS final south and north exts are more advanced for possible tender in 2018, than the Bang Wa ext.

@burner2014 You'll note that this line is referred to in the BTS charts that I posted a few pages back (pg 44, #653). I used to include it in the summary list up to a couple of years ago, but haven't done so recently. It is also in Archstudents map (Lime Green line).

There are a few issues here. Firstly, there is provision in the design of the previous extension to Bearing for the BTS to run this route. Secondly, this line was always intended to open when T3 at BKK airport opens to provide access from the south. T3 opening is contingent upon T2 opening and an APM being built. Both T2 and T3 are years behind both the original and readjusted schedules.

However, it is a line that is needed to be built given growth along the corridor. (Samut Prakhan province also has a plan to build a separate line from Samut Prakhan up to the airport). Realistically, I can't see this line being built until around the mid 2020s given the current back log of other extensions and lines. Even, the MRT Brown line will be built before this line. However, everything can change.

17 hours ago, kkerry said:

The BTS light green line from Kukot to the Outer Ring Road... it will run above 3312 Lam Luk Ka Road, correct? Is there an ETA for this line to be up and running?

Yes, it will run along Lam Lukka rd. It is listed as #18 in the list above under (C) with the estimated tender date of 2019/20.

I still think that this is accurate as MRTA has been stating that they wish to do this and the last section of the southern extension soon, but the reality is that the delays  to the Purple and Orange line extensions will push this back. In reality, it should be contracted before the full northern extension opens in late 2019. 

Here is a recent update of the Northern extension if you have good long sight vision....

On 1/8/2018 at 1:58 PM, Lakegeneve said:

The usual caveat....this is only a summary and all is subject to change. Politics, dysfunction and an endemic lack of coordination abounds in the implementation of mass transit policy and projects. Please note that the list numbers only refer to projects/lines or expected extensions based on future plans - numbers have nothing to do with the MOT/OTP M-MAP 10 line master plan (which is currently being reviewed and updated).

 

Some notes;

1) The main progress since my last update in July 2017 (see #596) is that the Orange line construction is well underway and that the MRT Pink line has also started some site construction work. The MRT Yellow line has some preliminary work underway but proper construction is still at least a few months away. The 1.8km ‘toy’ Gold line Auto monorail line has supposedly also started construction but I’m a little skeptical of that.

 

Currently, some 140kms of new lines are under construction (The current network is around 113kms of what will eventually be some 540kms of metro and suburban lines) 

 

2) In the first half of 2018, we should also see tenders on the Purple Line southern extension (delayed from last year), the MRT Blue line 7.8km west extension, and also the Western section of the Orange line which Cabinet is pushing as a PPP model.

 The SRT Dark Red Line ext to Thammasat Uni and SRT Light Red line to Salaya exts are also expected to be tendered this year.

 There is also a small chance that one of the 3 BTS exts may be tendered but given the ongoing standoff between the MRTA and BMA on the current 2 extensions, I don’t see another tender going out until next year.

 

4) 2018 Openings: The BTS Suk line southern ext from Samrong to Kheha SP will open in December.

 

5) After nearly 20 years the 2 ‘missing’ BTS stations, S4 & N6, are finally being built. Work should begin in 2018.

 

Feel free to ask queries as they are a few people here with specialist knowledge but pls don't quote the complete list if you do post a query.

 

BANGKOK METRO & SUBURBAN NETWORK - UPDATED SUMMARY LIST (Jan 2018)

 

A) LINES/EXTS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION:

1) MRTA Blue Line ring ext (subway) Tha Phra & Bang Khae ext: (Civil works progress 97%)
a) Hua Lamphong - Lak Song, 13.9 km , 7 elevated & 4 underground stations. Opens March 2019. 

Bang Sue - Tha Phra, 13.1 km, 7 elevated stations, Opens 2020. Website: http://www.mrta-blueline.com/

2) BTS Dark Green line (Suk Line Southern Ext) Samrong to Kheha Samut Prakan ext (MRTA): 11.4km, 6 stations. Opens in Dec 2018. (Civil works progress 100%). Website: http://www.mrta-greenline.net/
 

3) SRT Dark Red Line suburban line from Bang Sue to Rangsit: 26km, 8 stations* (Started March 2013, opens June 2020 - civil works progress 89%). *SRT Dark Red Line is metre gauge, electric. 
 

4) BTS Dark Green line (Suk Line Northern Ext):
a) Mo Chit to Saphan Mai ext ( MRTA): 11.4km, 11 stations, 

b ) Saphan Mai to Kukot/Lam Lukka rd: 6.8km, 5 stations .
(Construction started late 2015, opening in 2019 - civil works progress 51.21%).  1^st Phase to Lat Phrao station to open early 2019.  Website: http://www.mrta-greenline.net/

 

5) MRTA Orange Line eastern section Phase 1: 20km, 17 stations (10 underground, 7 elevated) Thai Cultural Center to Minburi. Construction stated July 2017, to open 2022. (Civil works progress 3.79% Website: http://www.mrta-orangeline.net/ and

 

6) MRTA Pink Line (Monorail): Khae Rai intersection to Miniburi via Pakred, Chaeng Wattana & Ram Inthra 36km, 30 stations. Construction started Dec 2017, to open April 2021 but expect 2022 as being more realistic. http://www.mrta.co.th/pinkline/index.html

7) MRTA Yellow Line (Monorail): 30.4km, 23 stations elevated. Latphrao to Hua Mark to Samrong. Prelim. construction starting soon after public consult., to open April 2021 but expect 2022 as being more realistic. http://www.mrta-yellowline.com/

 

? BMA Gold Line (Auto monorail): 1.8km, 3 stations, Krung Thonburi to Klong San. Construction has reportedly started in late Dec 2017, to open late 2019.

 

9) New Intercity terminal at Bang Sue for all N, NE and S SRT intercity trains, Airport Line extension and both SRT Red Lines. (Construction started May 2014, opening 2019/20 – (civil works progress 57.50%). 

 

LINES/EXTS TO BE TENDERED IN 2018:

10) Purple Line ext south. Taopoon to WWY then to Ratburna: 23.6 km. 17 stations (12.6km 10 stations underground, 11km 7 stations elevated). Note: Approved for tender by Cabinet on 25 July. Tender delayed due to PPP proposal. If construction starts by mid 2018, a 2024 is likely. 

Route: https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/videos/1875103962706329

11) Orange Line Phase 2, west section: From TCC to Bang Khun Non (Charan Sawitwong rd). 17.5km, 13 stations underground. Tender delayed due to PPP proposal.
12) Blue Line west ext to Phutthamonthon sai 4: 7.8km, 4 stations elevated.

 

13) SRT Dark Red Line north ext suburban line from Rangsit to Thammasat Uni: 8.5kms, 4 stations

14) SRT Light Red line extension: Taling Chan to Salaya to Siraj, 13km, 6 stations

15) BTS S4 Suksa Wittaya station to be built in 2018.

16) BTS N6 Sena Ruam station to be built in 2018

 

C) LINES/EXTS TO BE TENDERED IN 2019-2020??

17) BTS Dark Green (Sukhumvit) line south from Paknam to Bang Pu: 4 stations (planned)

18) BTS Dark Green (Sukhumvit) line north ext: from Kukot to Outer Ring rd, 4 stations (planned)

19) BTS Light Green (Silom) line ext from Bang Wah to Taling Chan: 7km, 6 stations (planned) 

20) Airport Rail Link (ARL) extension from Phayathai to Bangsue to Don Meaung (DMK): 21.8km, 5 stations (much delayed)
21) MRTA Grey Monorail Line: 26km, 21 stations. Rama 9 Bridge to Kaset-Nawamin/Ram Inthra (Completing EIA). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MRT_Grey_Line

 

D) NEXT BATCH OF LINES/EXTs (2022>) - assuming that all goes well in the next 2-3 years
22) BTS Light Green (Silom Line) west: 1-2 station ext west from National Stadium to Krung Kasem rd to link with the future SRT Dark Red Line.
23) SRT Dark Red Line south ext: 59 km, 22 stations
a) Bang Sue to Hualumphong to Wong Wian Yai, 7 stations
b ) WWY to Mahachai, 15 stations

24) SRT Light Red ext from Bang Sue to Hua Mark, 7 stations (Note: duplicates the ARL line)

25) BTS Dark Green (Sukhumvit) spur line or LRT from Bang Na intersection to Central Bang Na & BKK Airport (planned)

E) THEREAFTER OR UNDER STUDY (2025 >)

26) Brown Monorail Line: 20.5km, 21 stations. Monorail Khae Rai intersection along Ngam Wong Wan, Kaset-Namawin to Lam Sali intersection (interchange with Yellow and Orange). (Feasibility study until mid 2018) http://www.brownline-fs2560.com/index.html
27) MRTA Purple Line north ext : 4.5km ext to Sai Noi intersection (requested by Nonthaburi province but no confirmation).
28) BMA Light Blue Line: 9.5km, 9 stations. Monorail. Sathon to Pracha Songkhro. (Status TBC)

 

As the last update was in Jan, it is about time for a new one. I'll get onto that soon.

You'll notice further delays to the Purple and Orange line extensions which were to be tendered in the 2nd half of 2017 while the PPP framework has been finalised. SRT Red lines tender exts also delayed. The MRT Brown line has advanced and is in the process of being approved by Cabinet.

You'd be better posting this in the Airport forum as loads of advice there, https://www.thaivisa.com/forum/forum/105-suvarnabhumi-airport-forum/

The Airport Link (ARL) is not the BTS so you'll be able to get into town no probs subject to your final destination location, http://www.srtet.co.th/index.php/en/

Metro network,https://www.bangkokmetro.co.th/mapPPL.aspx?Menu=183&Lang=En