MRT Orange Line

     MRT Orange Line
รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม
Overview
Type Rapid transit
System Bangkok Metro
Status planned
Locale Bangkok, Thailand
Termini Taling Chan
Min Buri
Stations 28 (planned)
Operation
Opening 2019 (est.)
Owner Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)
Operator(s) MRTA
Technical
Line length 37.5 kilometers (23.3 mi) (est.)
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification Third rail
Operating speed 80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map
Legend
 Taling Chan
Bang Khun Non
 Siriraj
 Chao Phraya River
 Sanam Luang
 Democracy Monument
 Lan Luang
 Yommarat
 Ban Tad Thong
 Ratchathewi
 Pratunam
 Ratchaprarop
 Victory Monument
 Din Daeng
 Pracha Songkhro
 Thailand Cultural Centre
 MRTA Depot
 Khlong Lat Phrao
 Nawasi
 Ram Khamhaeng
 Hua Mak Stadium
 Hua Mak
 Lam Sali
 Si Burapha
Khlong Ban Ma
 Sammakon
 Nom Klao
 Rat Pattana
 Min Pattana
 Keha Ramkhamhaeng
 Min Buri

The MRT Orange Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีส้ม) is one of planned rapid transit lines of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, Thailand.

This Line is divided into 3 sections, Taling Chan - Thailand Cultural Center (17.5-km), Thailand Cultural Centre - Bang Kapi (9-km) and Bang Kapi - Min Buri (11-km). The section from Taling Chan to Bang Kapi is scheduled to be completed in 2019.

When fully completed, the line will be about 37.5-km long, mostly underground, with 29 stations (7 elevated stations and other 22 underground stations, including the current Thailand Cultural Centre Station of MRT Blue Line).

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

History

The original plan of Orange Line aimed to serve travel demand between the northwestern area of Thonburi, at Bang Bamru Railway Station in Bang Phlat District, and the east of Bangkok in Bang Kapi District. It was planned to run along Ramkhamhaeng Road and Ratchawithi Road, passing many public places like Hua Mak Stadium, Dusit Zoo and Victory Monument, and provide access to universities including Ramkhamhaeng University, Suan Sunandha and Suan Dusit Rajabhat University and many government offices.

In 2009, the proposed MRT Brown Line from Bang Kapi District, elevated along Ram Khamhaeng Road, to the eastern suburb in Saphan Sung District and Min Buri District, was merged with the Orange Line in Bangkok's mass rapid transit master plan.[1] In July 2011, the section from Bang Khun Non to Taling Chan was finally scrapped in favour the SRT Light Red Line spur line which duplicates the same route.[2] In 2012, there were further notable changes made to the central and western sections of the Orange Line. The section from Din Daeng District to Bang Bamru was rerouted away from Victory Monument to Pratunam Market, Petchaburi rd and Larn Luang Road, then under Ratchadamnoen Klang Road (the cancelled BTS Silom Line extension to Phrannok route) and terminates at Bang Khun Non to interchange with the MRT Blue Line extension. [3] (Instead of the previous route to Taling Chan District to interchange with SRT Light Red Line).

Alignment

The Orange Line will start from Min Buri District as elevated structure on Ramkhamhaeng Road (former Suka Phiban III Road) from eastern suburb in Min Buri District and goes underground near Lam Sali intersection in Bang Kapi District, also transfers to MRT Yellow Line. It continues southwest along Ramkhamhaeng Road, passing Hua Mak Stadium and Ramkhamhaeng University. Then it turns to the west and crosses Pradit Manutham Road to the current MRT depot. Then it goes to Thailand Cultural Centre Station, the alignment crosses over and transfers to the current MRT Blue Line. It continues via Din Daeng housing estates and Bangkok City Hall 2 to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, Sam Liam Din Daeng Junction. Then turn left into Ratchaprarop Road towards Pratu Nam and turn right into Phetchaburi Road then interchange with BTS Sukhumvit Line at Ratchathewi Station. It continues along Larn Luang Road and Ratchadamnoen Road. Then crosses the Chao Phraya River near Phra Pinklao Bridge, passes Siriraj Hospital and goes along Bangkok Noi Rail line and terminates at Taling Chan District, interchanges with SRT Red Line. The total length is 37.5 km.

Progress

The Orange line was due to be tendered by the end of 2013. However, due to resident protests regarding station footprint and compulsory land acquisition around stations at Pratunam, Ratchsprarop, Pracha Songkro and Soesim stations the MRTA stated that is needed another 12 months to redesign sections of the line.[4] Subsequently, political protests against the Thai government led to the metro transport funding bill lapsing when parliament was dissolved in Dec 2013. Accordingly, it is unlikely the Orange Line tender will be ready until late 2014.

Stations

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

Code Station Name Thai Notes coordinates
Bang Kapi - Min Buri
Min Buri มีนบุรี MRT Pink Line (proposed)
Keha Ramkhamhaeng เคหะรามคำแหง
Min Phatthana มีนพัฒนา
Rat Phatthana ราษฎร์พัฒนา
Nom Klao น้อมเกล้า
Sammakon สัมมากร
Khlong Ban Ma คลองบ้านม้า
Si Burapha ศรีบูรพา
Thailand Cultural Center - Bang Kapi
Lam Sali ลำสาลี MRT Yellow Line (proposed)
Hua Mak หัวหมาก
Hua Mak Stadium สนามกีฬาหัวหมาก
Ramkhamhaeng รามคำแหง
Nawasi นวศรี MRT Grey Line (proposed)
Khlong Lat Phrao คลองลาดพร้าว
MRTA Depot ศูนย์ซ่อมบำรุง รฟม. train depot
Thailand Cultural Centre ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย MRT Blue Line
park and ride
Taling Chan - Thailand Cultural Center
Pracha Songkhro ประชาสงเคราะห์ MRT Light Blue Line (proposed)
Din Daeng ดินแดง
Victory Monument อนุเสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิ SRT Light Red Line inner-city shortcut extension (proposed)
Ratchaprarop ราชปรารภ Suvarnabhumi Airport Link (April 2010)
Pratunam ประตูน้ำ
Ratchathewi ราชเทวี BTS Sukhumvit Line: Ratchathewi Station
Banthat Thong บรรทัดทอง
Yommarat ยมราช SRT Dark Red Line (proposed)
Lan Luang หลานหลวง
Democracy Monument อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย MRT Purple Line extension (proposed)
Sanam Luang สนามหลวง
Siriraj ศิริราช
Bang Khun Non บางขุนนนท์ MRT Blue Line north extension (proposed)

References

  1. ↑ http://www.otp.go.th/Bkk_mrt/progress.php
  2. ↑ http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9540000082642
  3. ↑ http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9540000082642
  4. ↑ http://thaipost.net/news/140513/73484

External links

See also