The Thai public will be able to enjoy free rides for a whole three months before the official opening in August. The northern section of the Purple Line runs between Tao Pun Station in Bang Sue District and Bang Yai in neighbouring Nonthaburi Province.
Major Sansern Kaewkamnerd noted that the 90-day trial would enable Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) staff to accustom themselves to its operations as well as develop safety procedures. The initial forecast for daily passenger usage is 120,000 per day once the line officially inaugurates in August.
Exact fares have yet to be announced, but last year the MRT said they would be between THB16 and THB40. The actual cost will depend on how many of the 16 stations passengers pass on their particular journeys.
Tao Pun Station will be an interchange station for the Blue Line in the future and will put Purple Line travellers just one stop from Bang Sue Station. The latter is a stop for trains travelling from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Suratthani, Hat Yai and the Malaysian border at Padang Besar.
New Bangkok urban train service starts public trials in May
News in Asia
A spokesperson for Thailand’s government has announced that Bangkok’s newest urban train service will launch next month. Major-general Sansern Kaewkamnerd told reporters that the so-called Purple Line will have a soft opening in May and, during trials, passengers will be able to travel for free.