Bangkok Metro
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The Bangkok Metro, officially called the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), is Bangkok's underground metro system. It was constructed by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and operated by Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) under a 25-year concession. The MRT is officially known in Thai as rotfaifah mahanakhon (รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร) or "metropolitan electric train", but it is more commonly called rotfai taidin (รถไฟใต้ดิน), literally, "underground train".
Besides the MRT, Bangkok also has an elevated rail system called BTS or less officially the Skytrain.
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[edit] History
The construction of the first Bangkok Metro line, officially known as Chaloem Ratchamongkhon (Thai สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) – "Celebration of Royal Auspice" – or informally as the "Blue Line", began on 19 November 1996. The project suffered multiple delays not only because of the 1997 economic crisis, but also due to challenging civil engineering works of constructing massive underground structures deep in the water-logged soil upon which the city is built.
The Blue Line was opened for a limited public trial over several weeks starting April 13, 2004. On July 3, 2004 the line was officially opened at 19:19 local time by HM King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, who were accompanied by other members of the royal family. Within 30 minutes of its opening, sightseers filled the system to its maximum capacity, but after the initial rush ridership has settled down to around 200,000 riders daily — considerably lower than projections of over 400,000, despite fares being slashed in half from 12-38 baht to 10-15 baht per trip. As of 2006, fares range between 14-36 baht per trip.
[edit] Operation
The 21-kilometer, 18-station Blue line presently runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong via Phra Ram 9 and has a carrying capacity of 40,000 people in each direction per hour. Similar to the Skytrain, the Metro uses trains supplied by Siemens which travel up to 80km/h. Passengers can conveniently connect to the Skytrain at Si Lom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak Park stations. The metro has a large depot in Huai Khwang district, which is located between Phra Ram 9 and Thailand Cultural Centre stations. Considering that Bangkok is a low-lying plain which is prone to flooding, all of the Metro's station entrances are raised several metres above the ground level and are equipped with built-in floodgates in order to avoid water inundating the system. Lifts and ramps are found at all stations, providing easy access for passengers in wheelchair. Due to safety considerations, platform screen doors are installed and uniformed security personnels are employed at each and every platform.
The ticketing system uses the RFID contactless technology with round tokens issued for single trips and contactless stored value cards for frequent travellers. In the near future, a joint ticketing system will be set up so that passengers can use a single ticket on the Metro as well as on the Skytrain. Multi-storey park & ride facilities are provided at Lat Phrao and Thailand Cultural Centre. Motorists who park their cars at these premises will be issued with additional contactless smartcards and they need to have them electronically stamped at their destination station.
[edit] Crash
On January 17, 2005, just after 09:15, an empty train returning to the depot collided with a peak-hour train filled with passengers at the Thailand Cultural Centre station. 262 people were hurt, most of whom sustained only minor injuries, and the entire Metro network was shut down for two weeks.
After initial investigations, it was found that the empty train had run into problems before the accident, grinding to a halt on a curve leading to the depot. The driver applied its brake and was waiting to be towed to the maintenance centre close to Thailand Cultural Centre station.
A rescue train was attempting to connect to the stricken train when the driver was told to release the brake. It was then that the empty train began to roll backwards at a speed of ten metres per second, before smashing into the other train, which was carrying passengers. Therefore, it was believed that the incident was caused by negligence. [1]
The Metro resumed full operation on February 1, 2005, and passenger numbers soon rose back to pre-crash levels, partly due to a temporary promotional fare scheme which allowed passengers to travel any distance on the MRT for only ten baht (~0.25 USD).
[edit] List of stations
- Bang Sue – for Bang Sue Junction Railway Station and
Phahon Yothin Railway Station
- Kamphaeng Phet – for Chatuchak Weekend Market and MOF Farmers' Market;
- Chatuchak Park – for connection with the Bangkok Skytrain's Mo Chit station and outdoor Park and Ride lots.
- Phahon Yothin – for Central Plaza Lat Phrao and St. John's University.
- Lat Phrao – with Park & Ride facility
- Ratchadaphisek
- Sutthisan
- Huai Khwang – for many massage and entertainment facilities
- Thailand Cultural Centre – with Park & Ride facility; interchange with the future "Orange Line"; about a 20-minute walk to the performing-arts venue; for Jusco, Carrefour and Robinson department stores
- Phra Ram 9 – for Fortune Town shopping center and IT mall
- Phetchaburi
- Sukhumvit – for connection with the Skytrain's Asok station; nearby Siam Society
- Queen Sirikit National Convention Center – for the Stock Exchange of Thailand
- Khlong Toei
- Lumphini – for Suan Lum Night Bazaar and Lumphini Park(Suan Lumphini).
- Si Lom – interchange with the Skytrain (Sala Daeng station); for Lumphini Park
- Sam Yan – for Chulalongkorn University
- Hua Lamphong – for Hua Lamphong Railway Station
[edit] Expansion plans
As indicated by the Thai Government, the Metro network will be continually expanded over the next 5 years (2004-2009) in order to serve more commuters that reside in the suburbs. It is planned that, eventually, the combined route distance of the Metro alone will total 91km with 3 Metro lines covering all of the major areas of Bangkok. The Blue line, once completely extended, will form a lariat-shaped loop that circles the city.
The initial expansion plan can be summarised as follows:
- Blue Line extension:
- Bang Sue – Bang Phlat – Tha Phra (13km)
- Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra – Bang Khae (14km)
- Orange Line: Bang Kapi – Sam Sen – Bang Bamru (24km)
- Purple Line: Bang Yai – Sam Sen – Rat Burana (40km)
Other expansion plans for the metro include:
- Yellow Line: Lat Phrao – Sri Nagarindra – Samut Prakan
Note that these plans do not include the extension proposed for the Skytrain.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Official sites
[edit] Unofficial sites
[edit] Downloads
- Download the System Map of Bangkok Rail Transit Network in PDF format
- Download the Master Plan of Bangkok Transport Network in PDF format (includes proposed extensions)
- Download Unofficial Technical Data
