Green Line extension from Bearing to Samut Prakan ready Dec 6

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK, 4 December 2018 (NNT) – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has assured the public that the BTS Skytrain Green Line extension from Bearing to Samut Prakan will be fully operational on December 6th. 

According to the BMA, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha will preside over the opening ceremony this Thursday, December 6th. The BMA has entrusted officials in Samut Prakan to come up with a plan to mitigate traffic congestion in the area, as a large number of people are expected to attend the opening ceremony. 

The BTS Green Line runs 53 kilometers from Kukot to Kan Kheha in Samut Prakan province. The fares won't exceed 65 baht until the concession agreement terminates in 2042. The extension line will facilitate the daily commute between Samut Prakan and Bangkok.

 

-- nnt 2018-12-04

 

The fares won't exceed 65 baht until the concession agreement terminates in 2042.

Somehow, I find this very difficult to believe.

Will they be adding extra trains to compensate?

 

Will they be adding extra trains to compensate?

They did purchase some new rolling stock a few months ago, but whether those are to be additions or to replace old stock I'm not sure.

 

Will they be adding extra trains to compensate?

There are 20 odd new 4-car trains (and a new depot) to service the new extension, and a similar number on order for the northern end extension when it opens 2019-2020 (and a depot at that end too).

 

BUT, as noted in other press-releases, there are currently only 3 of the new trains operational. So expect the (free) service on the extension to be, er, less than optimal when it starts on Thursday.

 

Of greater concern is what this will do to the Sukhumvit Line which is already overloaded. 

2 hours ago, Searat7 said:

Of greater concern is what this will do to the Sukhumvit Line which is already overloaded. 

It's gonna be a disaster

2 hours ago, Searat7 said:

Of greater concern is what this will do to the Sukhumvit Line which is already overloaded. 

Trains will fill up at the first few stations - and then nobody further down the line will be able to get on.

From another thread, the timetable:-

 

Please note that for the present you will have to change trains at Samrong, just walk across the platform. This is to avoid affecting the service on the existing sukhumvit line during the initial operation of the extension.

 

Trains will be every 10 minutes Samrong-Kheha.