Minister To Propose Two More Electric Rail Links For Bangkok

[george]

Minister to propose two more electric rail links for Bangkok

By John Le Fevre

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum is to propose the construction of two more electric train lines to service Bangkok and surrounding areas to the cabinet next week.

The two new lines are the 29.9km Pak Kret-Lak Si-Min Buri Pink Line at a cost of Bt31 billion (about $US9.11 million) and the 32km Bang Bamru-Bang Kapi-Min Buri Orange Line at a cost of Bt118 billion (about $US5.28 billion).

While the two new services are to go on the drawing board, the minister said they will not be constructed until the 10 other suggested lines had been built, with construction expected to take 20 years and cost Bt838 billion (about $US24.64 billion).

The two new services will be among the longest of the 10 electric rail systems already proposed, being exceeded only by the proposed 36km Dark Red Line, which will run from Bang Sue via Rangsit to Thammasat University.

Other electrified rail services already proposed by the transport ministry are:

The 11.4km Dark Green Line from Mor Chit to Saphan Mai, a 12.8km section from Soi Baring to Samut Prakan, and a 4km section from Saphan Mai to Khoo Khot.

The Blue Line covering a 13.5km section from Bang Sue to Tha Phra and a 13.5km section from Hua Lamphong to Bang Kae.

Continuing the multi-colour theme of the proposed electric train system, the proposed Purple Line will cover a 23km stretch from Bang Yai to Bang Sue, while the Light Red Line will cover a 14km section from Taling Chan to Salaya and a 10.5km stretch from Taling Chan to Makkasan.

Completing the mult-colour network proposed at the moment is the one kilometer Light Green Line from the National Stadium to Yosse and the 19.8km Purple Line between Bang Sue and Rat Burana.

Coinciding with the announcement by the transport minister was one by Bangkok deputy governor Teerachon Manomaipibun, who said yesterday that a 10km monorail system is planned for the Bang Na to Trat Road to improve traffic flow and congestion in the Srinakarin area.

Teerachon said the projected was estimated to cost about Bt10 billion (about $US294 million) and will connect the 13km Light Green line from Soi Baring to Samut Prakan.

-- thaivisa.com 2009-07-21

[LancasterBFC]

So what he's saying is that in 20 years' time BKK might have a public transport system to match the ones most of its supposed 'peers' had 20 years ago. Nice work Thailand.