The New Skytrain

[David48]

To Lakegeneve ... just some warm appreciation for all the work

that goes into your posts and how you keep us all informed ...

[dantilley]

Seconded.

[Lakegeneve]

Cheers.

A few key updates with announcements in the last week or so;

1) SRT Dark Red Line from Bang Sue to Rangsit: 26km, 8 stations: after 15+ months of confusion, negotiation and delays finally the contractor and SRT have agreed on a lower price. SRT saves nearly 5 billion baht and work should hopefully start in the next few months.

2) Pink Line 36km, 26 stations (mono-rail!): MOT have stated that this line will be tendered early next year with work to start around mid year (assuming the tender goes well),

3) Orange Line 37km: MOT have stated that Phase 1 (Thai Cultural Center to Bangkapi) will be tendered early next year with work to start around mid year (assuming the tender goes well),

[Lakegeneve]

Finally, finally! News that will bring audible relief to one and all is that the 35 Siemens extra 1 cars will finally arrive in Thailand on 20 August. To epand all current 3 rolling stock on the Sukhumvit line to 4 car trains.

I'd guess. after a testing period, to start expecting to see 4 car trains on the Sukhumvit line from Oct/Nov?

http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9550000087725

(forgot to link the article!)

[dantilley]

Good news! Next up, expanding the Silom line to 5-car trains???

[Lakegeneve]

Good news! Next up, expanding the Silom line to 5-car trains???

Well first there are 5 4 car sets on order for the WWY to Bang Wah ext. Though they will arrive after the full extension opens in Aug 2013 which which make travel in the Silom line even more interesting....

[Lakegeneve]

Finally, finally! News that will bring audible relief to one and all is that the 35 Siemens extra 1 cars will finally arrive in Thailand on 20 August. To epand all current 3 rolling stock on the Sukhumvit line to 4 car trains.

I'd guess. after a testing period, to start expecting to see 4 car trains on the Sukhumvit line from Oct/Nov?

http://www.manager.c...D=9550000087725

(forgot to link the article!)

The 35 extra single carriages for the Suk line have finally arrived and were being unloaded at the port today.

[dantilley]

Finally, finally! News that will bring audible relief to one and all is that the 35 Siemens extra 1 cars will finally arrive in Thailand on 20 August. To epand all current 3 rolling stock on the Sukhumvit line to 4 car trains.

I'd guess. after a testing period, to start expecting to see 4 car trains on the Sukhumvit line from Oct/Nov?

http://www.manager.c...D=9550000087725

(forgot to link the article!)

Not seen these on the Suk line yet, any idea when they will start?

[Lakegeneve]

Finally, finally! News that will bring audible relief to one and all is that the 35 Siemens extra 1 cars will finally arrive in Thailand on 20 August. To epand all current 3 rolling stock on the Sukhumvit line to 4 car trains.

I'd guess. after a testing period, to start expecting to see 4 car trains on the Sukhumvit line from Oct/Nov?

http://www.manager.c...D=9550000087725

(forgot to link the article!)

Not seen these on the Suk line yet, any idea when they will start?

The BMA and BTSC did say early October when they held a press conf on 28 August when the first batch of carriages were unloaded at Laem Chabang port. I would take that to mean late October or early November. Should be happening very soon one would think......

There has been some delays with the remainder of the carriages being delivered so they won't arrive until early 2013. It won't be until the end of May 2013 until all 35 carriages are commissioned. Or to put it another way, from May 2013 onwards all rolling stock on the Suk line will be 4 car sets.

[Lakegeneve]

The SRT Light Red line from Bang Sue to Taling Chan has been undergoing test runs for the last 8 weeks.

Though this line is technically incomplete as there is no station at Bang Sue (the new terminal has yet to start construction) the SRT is proposing to run a 3 month free trial period from 5 Dec 2012.

The trial service will run from Bang Bonson station to Taling Chan but ONLY from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm! AND services will only be every 30 mins, or every hour depending on reports, so you are only looking at a dozen or so services each day, each way.

Really, the trial service is not much use but it should at least give the SRT 3 months to iron out glitches and some time to refurbish some extra rolling stock for this line which is the main reason why they can't offer more services. They don't have the rolling stock!

You can find info on the SRT Light Red line here, http://www.railway.co.th/resultproject/project_redline.asp

and pics of the test runs here on rotfaithai.com, http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5866&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[dantilley]

Thanks for the update :-)

[Crossy]

Indeed thanks for that LG.

Your photo and those on the SRT site look like the alignment was originally designed as standard gauge electric and modified for metre gauge diesel, I hope they have some "Mind the Gap" signs

[Lakegeneve]

The SRT Light Red line from Bang Sue to Taling Chan has been undergoing test runs for the last 8 weeks.

Though this line is technically incomplete as there is no station at Bang Sue (the new terminal has yet to start construction) the SRT is proposing to run a 3 month free trial period from 5 Dec 2012.

The trial service will run from Bang Bonson station to Taling Chan but ONLY from 6am to 9am and 4pm to 7pm! AND services will only be every 30 mins, or every hour depending on reports, so you are only looking at a dozen or so services each day, each way.

Really, the trial service is not much use but it should at least give the SRT 3 months to iron out glitches and some time to refurbish some extra rolling stock for this line which is the main reason why they can't offer more services. They don't have the rolling stock!

You can find info on the SRT Light Red line here, http://www.railway.c...ect_redline.asp

and pics of the test runs here on rotfaithai.com, http://portal.rotfai...der=asc&start=0

I should have also mentioned that the plans to extend the Light Redline from Taling Chan to Salaya (10km , 4 stations) are well advanced. http://sirirajredlin...m/file/map..pdf and might be approved next year.

However, the SRT is also planning to convert the Thonburi station to Taling Chan into a spur of the Redline (blue section on the pdf map) and recently there have been community consultation on this issue. This really doesn't make a lot of sense as the Orange line when it eventually built actually runs almost exactly along the same route. Yet another example of a lack of integrated planning.

Website on the spur line: http://sirirajredline.com/

(The actual previous plan for this Light Red spur line - as you can see in the last Master Plan Map - was to continue the line across the river into Rattanakosin Island, link with the Purple line then extend east to link with the Dark Red line at Yommarat triangle, and then to run along the current Cityline/ARL as another parallel suburban line! This plan was always a bit unlikely.)

[Lakegeneve]

Indeed thanks for that LG.

Your photo and those on the SRT site look like the alignment was originally designed as standard gauge electric and modified for metre gauge diesel, I hope they have some "Mind the Gap" signs

Note: not my pic, the credit is on the pic.

As I have noted here a few times in doing the updated summary lists, both Light Red lines are and have always been intended to be narrow gauge lines. This being the SRT, the Taling Chan Light Red line is narrow gauge, diesel with an intention to electrify at a later date, whilst the Rangsit Dark Red line is narrow gauge electric.

Thus, somehow in the SRT boards mind it made sense to build 3 suburban lines all of which are incompatible with each other!!!

1) ARL Cityline: standard gauge, electric

2) Light Redline: narrow gauge, diesel,

3) Dark Redline: narrow gauge, electric. (originally was going to be diesel when 1st approved)

The reason why the SRT didn't just approve both Redlines as standard gauge and use that as a platform for their previous and eventual long term plan to convert the whole network from narrow to standard gauge is confusing. Supposedly, the Lightred line is built for gauge conversion hence the platform gaps but sections of the line don't show that as they have not used dual gauge sleepers and some concrete base sections will need to be rebuilt for gauge conversion as shown here;

As I mention in the above post even the spur line being proposed is quite unnecessary when eventually their will be a MRTA underground Orange line running the exact same route. The SRT is dysfunctional at best and there is a lack of integrated transport planning in Bangkok with competing agencies thus leading to waste and inefficiency.

However, one cannot also help think that the common practice 'lining the pockets' decision making officials, pollies & contractors is also at play when funds are seemingly wasted on public contracts or a lack of integrated long term planning. That is of course no different when it comes to any other govt. funded infrastructure (highways, airports or flood prevention projects etc).

Indeed, at least one metro line was most likely approved - in contrast to the original planned timetable - partially due to then coalition politicians who had vested interests in property companies with land projects along the route (Purple Line). As we know, those sort of factors in decision makers approval processes are common considerations.

[dantilley]

Rode in on a 4 car train yesterday morning. Good to see them starting to be rolled out.

[Lakegeneve]

I'm going to do some specific line updates before updating the summary list.

The SRT Red line is still expected to open for the free trail period from 5 Dec but with such limited services (see post above) it really won't be doing much.

The BTS Silom ext from WWY (S8) 1st stage, 2 station ext opening to Ratchadapisek-Ratchapruek (S10) is according to the BMA all set to open on 5 Dec BUT works are not finished yet. I would suggest next Feb is more likely unless there is some trick that this ext will magically be finished on time.

(Remember the 2nd stage to Bang Wah, S11 & S12, will open 12 Aug 2013).

Purple Line

Civil works for the Purple Line are now past the 50% completion mark being 1.40% behind schedule due to the 2011 floods. The MRTA has now released the first english language animated video of the line route if you can handle the superhero movie style music;

Map of the Purple Line to refer to while watching the video;

It should also be mentioned that the MRTA is seriously considering the Nongtaburi administrations request to extend the line 4.5km north to Say Noi junction (Bang Bua Thong) and this may be approved before construction is completed.

The 2nd stage of the Purple line will be south from Taopoon to Sanam Luang, Chinatown, Wong Wian Yai and Ratburana with construction projected to begin 2017/18.

Purple Line website for construction updates: http://www.mrta-purp...om/main?lang=en

[BookMan]

I'm going to do some specific line updates before updating the summary list.

The SRT Red line is still expected to open for the free trail period from 5 Dec but with such limited services (see post above) it really won't be doing much.

The BTS Silom ext from WWY (S8) 1st stage, 2 station ext opening to Ratchadapisek-Ratchapruek (S10) is according to the BMA all set to open on 5 Dec BUT works are not finished yet. I would suggest next Feb is more likely unless there is some trick that this ext will magically be finished on time.

(Remember the 2nd stage to Bang Wah, S11 & S12, will open 12 Aug 2013).

Purple Line

Civil works for the Purple Line are now past the 50% completion mark being 1.40% behind schedule due to the 2011 floods. The MRTA has now released the first english language animated video of the line route if you can handle the superhero movie style music;

Map of the Purple Line to refer to while watching the video;

It should also be mentioned that the MRTA is seriously considering the Nongtaburi administrations request to extend the line 4.5km north to Say Noi junction (Bang Bua Thong) and this may be approved before construction is completed.

The 2nd stage of the Purple line will be south from Taopoon to Sanam Luang, Chinatown, Wong Wian Yai and Ratburana with construction projected to begin 2017/18.

Purple Line website for construction updates: http://www.mrta-purp...om/main?lang=en

Excellent info as always LG

[Lakegeneve]

Silom Line ext update:

As stated before, the two station Silom Line ext from WWY(S8) to Ratchapruek-Ratchada (S10) which was due to open on 5 Dec has been behind schedule. (Originally all 4 stations - to Bang Wah (S12) were due to open on 5 Dec but after the 2011 floods it was split into 2 stages with stage 2 opening on 12 AUgust 2013). I suggested that the 1stage would open in Feb to mid March.

However, the BMA yesterday confirmed that it will not open on 5 Dec but on 15 Jan. I'd still suggest that will slide into mid Feb at least but we'll see if they can surprise.

(SRT Red line is still due to open for a free trials from the 5th but only for a very limited service)

[Lakegeneve]

(SRT Red line is still due to open for a free trials from the 5th but only for a very limited service)

SRT Red line opens tomorrow for free limited trial service - only 6 services a day!. Timetable is as follows for anyone wanting a trip to Taling Chan:

Taling Chan to Bangson

Dep Taling Chan: 06.10 07.20 08.20 15.40 16.40 17.40

Bang Bumru: 06.20 07.30 08.30 15.50 16.50 17.50

Arr Bangson: 06.30 07.40 08.40 16.00 17.00 18.00

Bangson to Taling Chan

Dep. Bangson: 06.40 07.50 08.50 16.10 17.10 18.10

Bang Bumru: 06.50 08.00 09.00 16.20 17.20 18.20

Arr Taling Chan: 07.00 08.10 09.10 16.30 17.30 18.30

SRT Red line website: http://www.railway.co.th/resultproject/project_redline.asp?redline=5510201

Pics of the non pax test runs: http://portal.rotfaithai.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=5866&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

[Lakegeneve]

Silom Line ext update:

As stated before, the two station Silom Line ext from WWY(S8) to Ratchapruek-Ratchada (S10) which was due to open on 5 Dec has been behind schedule. (Originally all 4 stations - to Bang Wah (S12) were due to open on 5 Dec but after the 2011 floods it was split into 2 stages with stage 2 opening on 12 AUgust 2013). I suggested that the 1stage would open in Feb to mid March.

However, the BMA yesterday confirmed that it will not open on 5 Dec but on 15 Jan. I'd still suggest that will slide into mid Feb at least but we'll see if they can surprise.

Here is a video of the ext from WWY (S8) to Pho Nimit (S9 which makes it clear why the ext is not ready to open given all of the fitting out in the station that still needs to be completed.

BMA is actually offering a max of 500 pax a day to ride on the ext for free from 9-11am and 2-4pm - only to S9. This is unusual, it wasn't done for the two previous BTS exts which opened significantly after the original timeline. Probably, it is only being done given that the BMA Gov elections are in Feb. and is thus most likely a tactic to obfuscate the fact of a delay in the opening.

[Lakegeneve]

I didn't update this but as most know the Silom line ext to Pho Nimit (S9) opened on 12 Jan (Childrens day) for free service. The extension to Talat Phlu (S10) is due to open on 15 Feb.

The ext operates with a separate 6 car shuttle between S9 & S10.

S11 & S12 still due to open on 12 August 2013 but this may slide towards the end of the year as there are some design issues with S12 interchanging with the Blue Line ext station.

[Lakegeneve]

Time for an update given the new year.

This will be a busy year for mass transit with 4 or 5 new lines planned to be tendered within the next 15 months. 2-3 new lines should start construction this year along with the 3 currently under construction.

The current BMA Gov election period is leading to the usual hype on transport issues in BKK. The PTs new vehicle rebate program in 2012 cost over 100 billion baht (enough for 2 mass transit lines) and added 1m new cars. Thus, transport & traffic congestion is a greater election issue than it normally is. Current Democrat Gov has promised a new monorail line if he is re-elected but it would be years away if it was ever built. PT candidate is promising toilets at 5k bus stops in Bangkok, flat 20 fares for metro trips (reflecting PT's 2010 election campaign promise) & a few other seemingly unfinancial or unrealistic promises. It is important to remember that all 3 BTS extensions have been wholly funded by the BMA who then contracted the BTSC to run them. This is not the case for the Bearing to Paknam ext as it is outside BMA citylimits - the MRTA contracted this extension.

As usual, this is only a guide and subject to change. Plans will change, dates are never met when it comes to mass transit implementation, politics and dysfunction abounds in this policy area. Feel free to ask any queries which you may have.

Recently opened:

a) SRT Light Red Line from Bang Sue to Taling Chan: 15km, 6 stations (Opened for limited free trial service on 5 Dec 2012 between Taling Chan and Bang Song stations. Will not be completed until new Bang Sue Terminal is built - see (6) )*

b BTS Silom Line - Pho Nimit (S9) opened on 12 Jan

*Note: SRT Light Red is metre gauge, diesel. To be electrified at a later date after opening.

A) Current lines under construction;

1) BTS ext from Wong Wian Yai to Bang Wah 5.3km, 4 stations (S10 opening 15 Feb, S11 & S12 due 12 Aug 2013)

2) MRTA Subway Blue Line ext from Bang Sue to Taopoon: 1.2km, 1 station (to open 2014)

3) MRTA Purple Line from Taopoon to Bang Yai: 23km, 16 stations (Opening late 2015)

Website: http://www.mrta-purpleline.com

4) MRTA Blue Line ring ext (subway) and Bang Khae/Phetkasem rd ext (Completion 2017)

Website: http://www.mrta-blueline.com/

a) Bang Sue - Tha Phra, 13.1 km with 7 elevated stations,

b Hua Lamphong - Lak Song, 13.9 km (including 4 underground stations).

5) BTS Bearing to Paknam ext : 12.6km, 7 stations (Work started mid 2012, opens 2016)

6) New Intercity terminal at Bang Sue for all N, NE & S SRT intercity trains, Airport Line and SRT Red Lines. (Contract signed 18 Jan 2013, construction starting ASAP, opening 2016?)

B ) Lines tendered but delayed

7) SRT Dark Red Line from Bang Sue to Rangsit: 26km, 8 stations*

*Note: SRT Dark Red Line is metre gauge, electric

C) Lines reportedly to be tendered in 2013;

8) Airport Line extension from Phayathai to Bangsue to Don Meaung (DMK): 21.8km, 5 stations (tender in next few months)

9) MRTA Pink Line: Khae Rai intersection to Miniburi via Pakred, Chaeng Wattana & Ram Inthra 36km, 26 stations (mono-rail! Expect tender by mid year. Comment: this would be the world's longest operation mono rail line - should be heavy rail).

10) BTS Mo Chit to Saphan Mai ext: 11.4km, 11 stations (Some recent progress as budget finalised & depot site selected. Expected to be tendered mid 2013. Original completion date was 2008!).

11) BTS ext from Saphan Mai to Lam Lukka: 14km, 9 stations (now to be tendered with above BTS ext)

12) SRT Light Red line extension: Taling Chan to Salaya, 12km, 5 stations

*Note: SRT Light Red is metre gauge, diesel.

D) Next batch of lines: (2014-2019)

13) MRTA Orange Line: 36km, 29 stations (22 underground, 7 elevated) - . Phase 1 TCC to Bangkapi (tender planned Dec 2013, Construction early 2014 for completion in 2019). Website: http://www.mrta-orangeline.net/

14) MRTA Yellow Line: 30.4km, 21 stations. Phase 1 Latphrao to Hua Mark.

15) Purple Line ext south. Taopoon to WWY then to Ratburna: 26.8 km.

16) SRT Dark Red Line ext from Bang Sue to Hualumphong to Mahachai: 59km

17) SRT Red Line ext from Taling Chan to Thonburi to Makkansan and east adjacent to Airport Line (Still uncertain, line expected to be cancelled as duplicates Cityline. TC to Thonburi will probably be built)

G) Thereafter or under study: (2020 >)

18) Grey Line: 26km. Rama 9 Bridge to Kaset-Nawamin/Ram Inthra. (TBC)

19) Black Line: 9.5km, 9 stations. Sathon to Din Daeng. (TBC)

20) Purple Line north (under feasibility study). 4.5km ext to Sai Noi intersection.

H) Monorail:

1) As part of the election campaign BMA Gov Sukhumbhand has promised a new monorail line from Watcharapol (Ram Inthra) to Rama 4 via Lat Phrao & Din Daeng. Unlikely and years away if it happens at all.

2) Planned monorail for Chula Uni campus has been shelved.

[melvinmelvin]

a question (to Lac Leman I guess);

It is not clear to me whether the Purple line will actually follow the rails down unbderground and halt in Bang Sue MRT station

or if it quite simply stops at Taopoon. (I guess thats close to where it enters Th. Krung Thep Non).

If pruple halts at Taopoon it will be somewhat akward if you come from MRT/say Suthisan and want to go to Ta It.

Out of MRT at Bang Sue

Change to Blue at Bang Sue

Take Blue one stop

Out of Blue

Change to Purple

pitty they don't use the same rail standard and the same power mechanisms throughout

[IsaanUSA]

a question (to Lac Leman I guess);

It is not clear to me whether the Purple line will actually follow the rails down unbderground and halt in Bang Sue MRT station

or if it quite simply stops at Taopoon. (I guess thats close to where it enters Th. Krung Thep Non).

If pruple halts at Taopoon it will be somewhat akward if you come from MRT/say Suthisan and want to go to Ta It.

Out of MRT at Bang Sue

Change to Blue at Bang Sue

Take Blue one stop

Out of Blue

Change to Purple

I'm just a regular guy reading these posts and downloading these "master plan" maps every year, but...

To me it looks like you hop on the MRT at Sutthisan (Blue line), ride that to Tao Pun (when it opens) and then transfer to the purple line. It looks really simple???

[Lakegeneve]

Taopoon will be an multi-level elevated interchange station with the Blue Line station below (running E-W) and the Purple line station above (running N-S). The current subway is being extended 1.2 km to Taopoon station where trains will terminate until the full Blue Line extension is completed , ie, trains will no longer terminate at Bang Sue.

Once the Purple line opens pax will interchange at this station very simply.

I will find a render of the station when I have the time and post it so it is clear.The BMCL (operator of the subway) has won the contract to run the Purple line once it opens and to purchase the rolling stock.

[melvinmelvin]

Right, thanks. The plans even make sense.

I'm often in the area (Bang Sue/Taopoon/Krung Thep Non).

The way it looks to me is that the underground is extended up in the air as a "skytrain"?

Or Blue Line going down underground?

When I'm passing by in a taxi it definitely looks as if rails are coming out of the ground.

[dantilley]

Great update Lakegeneve as always.

[dantilley]

By the way do you know if the Silom line will be extended west from National Stadium, as I think I remember reading once it might be?

[planr]

Right, thanks. The plans even make sense.

I'm often in the area (Bang Sue/Taopoon/Krung Thep Non).

The way it looks to me is that the underground is extended up in the air as a "skytrain"?

Or Blue Line going down underground?

When I'm passing by in a taxi it definitely looks as if rails are coming out of the ground.

Both lines will be elevated, with the Purple Line being "on top." So you're correct in your observation that the Blue Line comes out of the ground between Bang Sue and Tao Poon.

By the way do you know if the Silom line will be extended west from National Stadium, as I think I remember reading once it might be?

There is an additional (one station) planned extension westward along Rama I. The station location would be west of the Tollway but just east of the SRT alignment, basically serving the old Ministry of Energy buildings (which still house active offices) to the north of Rama I and the SRT offices to the south of Rama I. As for the status of the line, I don't think it has moved beyond the Master Plan phase, so it's likely a decade away at the least.

[dantilley]

Thanks for that. Agree with your projected timeline if it's still at the planning stage!