Bangkok Skytrain Extension On Track

[george]

Bangkok skytrain extension on track

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok City Hall is preparing to sign a contract with the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) to extend its skytrain service from the Taksin Bridge station to the Taksin junction, due to officially open in August.

Bangkok deputy governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul, who oversees the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's (BMA) skytrain project, said negotiations would be held with the BTS about fares and operating fees for three years for the extended 2km route. The junction is located close to the King Taksin Monument, or Wong Wian Yai.

The volume of passengers would be brought into consideration during the talks, said Mr Teerachon, adding the average number of travellers using the extended route would be known within three months, starting from May 15.

The BMA estimates 50,000 commuters a day will use the extended route. Currently, the skytrain has about 400,000 commuters daily, while around 140,000 people use the subway each day

The deputy governor said Krungthep Thanacom would represent the city administration in the talks after approval from the city council on the setting up of its own firm to represent it.

He said the BMA would ask for some fare changes for the extended route. During the tenure of the previous Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin, the minimum fare for the 2km extension was 15 baht. Fares for the whole BTS network range from 15 baht to 40 baht.

The service on the extended route is expected to be officially opened on Aug 12 to mark Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.

Before its official opening, there will be a test run lasting three months, starting from May 15.

Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra will lead BMA executives to try out the service on the extended route this Thursday.

-- Bangkok Post 2009-04-19