Peerayudh Singpatanakul, the governor of the MRTA, told reporters the connecting line from Bang Sue Station to Tao Poon Station should be operational by August 2017 if all went to schedule. Bang Sue is the terminus of Blue Line services and Tao Poon of Purple trains.
Governor Singpatanakul said the MRTA planned to engage Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) to set up the link and run it for an initial two-year period. The proposal is due to be presented to the Thai government for approval and if the green light is forthcoming BEM will make a start in the New Year.
The governor noted it would take six months to establish the connector line and after two months of trail runs it should be ready for the public to use in August. When the Purple Line welcomed its first passengers this past August, the MRTA launched a shuttle bus service to enable travellers to reach Bang Sue.
Bang Sue Railway Station is a stop for intercity trains from Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong Station to destinations such as Hua Hin, Chiang Mai, Nong Khai and Nakhon Ratchasima. 12GO ASIA offers reservations services for most mainline train services in Thailand as well as air and bus tickets.
Bangkok urban transport body sets timetable for link train launch
News in Asia
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) says it has set a timetable for the opening of a link between two of the city’s rapid transit rail lines. At present, a one-kilometre link between the MRT’s Blue Subway and Purple lines is missing.