The Purple Line will link Tao Poon Station in Bang Sue to Bang Yai in Nonthaburi. The total length of the line is 23kms. Prime-minister Prayut Chan-o-cha sat in on the official test run from Bang Phai Service Depot in Nonthaburi to the first station on the line.
An hour after the test run, the PM was on hand for the dedication ceremonies of the Chao Phraya River tunnel. The 200-metre-long tunnel will allow Bangkok’s only underground train line to be extended from Hua Lampong Railway Station as far as Bang Khae.
Engineers are expected to run more tests on the Purple Line before the public is allowed to use it for free next May. In August, passengers will start paying to use the service. The long term plan is to connect the Purple and underground (Blue) lines at Bang Sue Station.
Speaking to reporters after the official ceremonies were over, the prime-minister said current fares of between THB14 and THB40 were too expensive for people on low salaries. He said one way of reducing fares would be to incorporate retail outlets and car parks at the stations. He explained the income from these would help subsidise fares.
Thai PM inspects new Bangkok train line and river tunnel
News in Asia
Thailand’s prime minister attended a test run on one of Bangkok’s new mass-transit Purple Line trains yesterday morning. He followed this up by going to a ceremony to commemorate the successful completion of the nation’s first tunnel under a river.