MRT Purple Line

The MRT Purple Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีม่วง) is a rapid transit line under construction of Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand, including Nonthaburi Province.

The Purple Line is aimed to serve travel demand between the northwestern suburb of Bangkok in Nonthaburi Province and the southern area of Thonburi in Rat Burana district. It also runs through downtown along Samsen Road, passing Rattanakosin old quarter and many historical places in Dusit and Phra Nakhon district like national library, Thewet market, Bang Lamphu, Democracy Monument, Golden Mount, Phahurat, Memorial Bridge and Wongwian Yai roundabout, and also intended to serve new Thai parliament construction site at Kiak Kai intersection.

This Line is divided into 2 sections, Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai (23-km), under construction, and Tao Pun - Rat Burana (19.8-km). Section from Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai is scheduled to be completed in 2014, and another within 2019.

When fully completed for the first section, the 5th rapid transit line of Bangkok will be the first Bangkok rapid transit system encroaching upon an adjacent province of Nonthaburi as well. The section links Tao Pun in Bang Sue, Bangkok, to Khlong Bang Phai in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi Province. The additional Blue Line extension between existing Bang Sue terminus and Tao Pun is also constructed simultaneously. Despite the fact that MRTA has named Bang Sue - Bang Yai section as construction phase, Purple Line will be operated as Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai, comprising 16 stations along elevated route, excluding current Bang Sue. The first stage of construction has been commenced in early 2010.

The line is indicated by the colour purple on the map.

Alignment

Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai section starts from Tao Pun elevated station at Tao Pun junction, transfers to MRT Blue Line extension. It runs north upon viaduct along Krung Thep-Nonthaburi Road, providing transfer to the Red commuter railway at Bang Son, and approaches Mueang Nonthaburi district of Nonthaburi Province. The line goes further north via Tiwanon Road, passes the Ministry of Public Health entry, then turns at Khae Rai intersection outwards to the west Nonthaburi via Rattanathibet Road, passes Nonthaburi Government Centre, crosses the Chao Phraya River on viaduct parallel to Phra Nangklao Bridge. Then it continues to a large residential area in Bang Yai district and turns to the north along Kanchanaphisek highway, passes Bang Yai market and terminates at Khlong Bang Phai in Bang Bua Thong district (though stop short of reaching Bang Bua Thong town). The total length is 23 km.

Phases of construction

Construction shall take place in 3 phases. The first covers Bang Sue - Tao Pun - Phra Nangklao Bridge, then Phra Nangklao Bridge (including new bridge) - Bang Yai - Khlong Bang Phai terminus, and another phase as construction of a train depot and 4 park and ride buildings at Khlong Bang Phai, Bang Yai Intersection, Tha It, and Nonthaburi 1 Intersection stations.^[1]

First phase construction also includes Tao Pun interchange station which extends current underground MRT Blue Line with another elevated halt to 19 stations.

Stations

In the table below, an italicized name indicates that the station is under construction and not yet in operation.

Future extension

Another proposed extension of Tao Pun - Rat Burana will run southward through Bangkok old quarter from Tao Pun junction on viaduct. Then it is graded down into the underground structure along Samsen Road, passing new Thai parliament site, and transfers to purposed Red inner-city shortcut commuter at Sang Hee intersection. It passes national library in Dusit district, before reaches Phra Nakhon district at Thewet market. The line turns east at Bang Lamphu and goes along city moat to the south, transfers to the planned MRT Orange Line at Ratchadamnoen Road near Democracy Monument. It also passes Golden Mount before transfers to the southern extension of Blue Line at Wang Burapha near Yaowarat chinatown and Phahurat textile market.

The line crosses the Chao Phraya River near Memorial Bridge towards Wongwian Yai roundabout in Thonburi west bank, transfers to Dark Red Line commuter and Wongwian Yai BTS Station. It goes further south to Chom Thong, then elevated south for 5.5 km and terminate in Rat Burana district, short distance to a nearby Phra Pradaeng suburban town in Samut Prakan Province. The total length will be about 19.8 km, comprising 11 underground and 5 elevated stations.

See also

• Airport rail link
• List of rapid transit systems
• Bangkok Metro
• BTS Skytrain
• SRT Red Lines
• Bangkok BRT

References

1. ^ Watcharapong Thongrung. "CKTC gives in on Purple Line bid price", The Nation, April 20, 2009.

External links

• "Bangkok urban rail progress", Railway Gazette, January 22, 2009.