MRT Purple Line

     MRT Purple Line
รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีม่วง

The line under construction in December 2013
Overview
Type Rapid transit
System MRT
Status Under Construction
Locale Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province, Thailand
Termini Tao Pun (Bang Sue District)
Khlong Bang Phai (Bang Bua Thong District)
Stations 16
Services 1
Operation
Opening 5 Dec 2016 (TBC)
Owner Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)
Operator(s) BMCL (Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited)
Technical
Line length 23 kilometers (14 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
 Khlong Bang Phai
 Talat Bang Yai
 Sam Yaek Bang Yai
 Bang Phlu
 Bang Rak Yai
 Bang Rak Noi - Tha It
 Sai Ma
 Chao Phraya River
 Phra Nangklao Bridge
 Yaek Nonthaburi 1
 Si Phon Sawan
Pink Line:
Min Buri

Nonthaburi Civic Center
 Ministry of Public Health
 Yaek Tiwanon
 Wong Sawang

Light Red Line:
Taling Chan – Bang Sue

Bang Son

Tao Pun
Blue Line:
Tha Phra – Bang Sue

South Extension
 Kiakkai(New parliament)
 Si Yan
 Sam Sen
 National Library
 Bang Khun Phrom

Democracy Monument
Orange Line:
Taling Chan – Min Buri

Wang Burapha
Blue Line:
Bang Khae – Hua Lamphong

Chao Phraya River
 Prajadhipok

Dark Red Line:
Maha Chai – Hua Lamphong

Wongwian Yai
BTS:
Bang Wa – Siam

Samre
 Mahaisawan
Chom Thong
 Dao Khanong
 Bang Pakok
 Phacha Uthit
 Rat Burana

The MRT Purple Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีม่วง) is a rapid transit line of the Bangkok MRT under construction for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region and Nonthaburi Province, Thailand. When it opens, it will be the city's second MRT line. It is hoped that it may open by the end of 2016.

Description

The Purple Line is aimed to serve travel demand between the northwestern suburb of Bangkok in Nonthaburi Province and 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 the national library, Thewet market, Bang Lamphu, the Democracy Monument, the Golden Mount, Phahurat, the Memorial Bridge and Wongwian Yai roundabout, and also intends to serve the new Thai parliament construction site at Kiak Kai intersection.

This Line is divided into two sections, Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai 23 km, which is under construction, and Tao Pun - Rat Burana, 19.8 km. The section from Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai was originally scheduled to be open in late 2014,[1] but is now due to open on 5 Dec 2016.

This will be the first Bangkok metro line into an adjacent province (Nonthaburi). The section links Tao Pun Station in Bang Sue, Bangkok, to Khlong Bang Phai Station in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi Province. The MRT Blue Line extension between the existing Bang Sue terminus and Tao Pun is constructed as part of copntract 1 to provide an interchange between both lines. The Purple Line will be operated Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai, comprising 16 stations along an elevated route. The first stage of construction commenced in early 2010.

The line is indicated by the colour purple on network maps.

Alignment

The Tao Pun - Khlong Bang Phai section starts from the Tao Pun elevated station at Tao Pun junction, where it transfers to the MRT Blue Line extension. It runs north on a viaduct along Krung Thep-Nonthaburi Road, providing transfer to the Red commuter railway at Bang Son railway station, and approaches Mueang Nonthaburi District of Nonthaburi Province. The line goes further north via Tiwanon Road, passes the Ministry of Public Health, then turns at the Khae Rai intersection to west Nonthaburi via Rattanathibet Road, passes the Nonthaburi Government Centre, crosses the Chao Phraya River on a viaduct parallel to the Phra Nangklao Bridge. Then it continues to a large residential area in Bang Yai District and turns to the north along the Kanchanaphisek Highway, passes Bang Yai market and terminates at Khlong Bang Phai in Bang Bua Thong District. The total length is 23 kilometres (14 mi).

Construction contracts

Construction is divided into three separate contracts. The first covers Bang Sue - Tao Pun - Phra Nangklao Bridge, with a length of 12 km, comprising nine stations. This contract also includes construction of a 1.2 km extension of the MRT Blue Line from Bang Sue to Tao Pun where the Blue Line and the Purple Line will interchange.

The second contract covers the Phra Nangklao Bridge (including a new bridge) - Bang Yai District - Khlong Bang Phai terminus, with a length of 11 km. and comprising seven stations. The third contract is for the construction of a train depot at the Bang Yai terminus and four park and ride buildings at Khlong Bang Phai, Bang Yai Intersection, Tha It, and the Nonthaburi Intersection station.

Contract Notes Kilometre
1 Bang Sue-Tao Pun to Phra Nangklao Bridge 12
2 Phra Nangklao Bridge to Khlong Bang Phai terminus (river crossing viaduct included) 11
3 Depot at Khlong Bang Phai, four park and ride stations
4 Rolling Stock & Management - BMCL (30 year concession)
5 Signalling & Electrical - Bang Yai to Taopoon
6 Trackwork

In September 2013, BMCL (operator of the MRT Blue Line ) signed an 82.6-billion-baht contract with the MRTA for the procurement of rolling stock, installation of E&S systems, operation and maintenance of the Purple Line. The concession is for a 30 year period.[2]

The 6th contract, which was due to be awarded in mid-2011 for the laying of track was delayed for over one year due to internal disputes within the MRTA and uncertainty about the bidding process.[3] However, this contract was finalised in October 2012.

In October 2012, the BMCL, private operator of the MRT Blue line, was granted a 30 year concession to operate the Purple line and supply rolling stock & electrical systems.[4]

As of July 2014, civil works construction was 94% complete[5] which is 3% behind schedule.[6] As of October 2014, civil works were stated to be 99% complete.[7]

Rolling stock

In November 2013, BMCL contracted Marubeni Corp, Toshiba Corp, and East Japan Railway Co to install E&S systems, supply 63 cars of rolling stock and provide maintenance for 10 years as part of a contract worth 12.6 billion baht.[8]

East Japan Railway train manufacturing subsidiary J-Trec will build the 21 trains (3 car sets) in Yokohama with delivery due in early 2016.[9]

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 Sue-Bang Yai
Tao Pun เตาปูน MRT Blue Line (Tao Pun - Bang Sue extension, under construction)
Terminal station
Bang Son บางซ่อน SRT Light Red Line: Bang Son railway station (under construction)
Wong Sawang วงศ์สว่าง Last Station in Bangkok area
Yaek Tiwanon แยกติวานนท์ First Station in Nonthaburi Province
Ministry of Public Health กระทรวงสาธารณสุข
Nonthaburi Civic Center ศูนย์ราชการนนทบุรี MRT Pink Line (proposed)
Si Phon Sawan ศรีพรสวรรค์
Yaek Nonthaburi 1 แยกนนทบุรี 1 park and ride
Phra Nangklao Bridge สะพานพระนั่งเกล้า
Sai Ma ไทรม้า
Bang Rak Noi - Tha It บางรักน้อย-ท่าอิฐ park and ride
Bang Rak Yai บางรักใหญ่
Bang Phlu บางพลู
Sam Yaek Bang Yai สามแยกบางใหญ่ park and ride
Talat Bang Yai ตลาดบางใหญ่
Khlong Bang Phai คลองบางไผ่ park and ride, train depot
Terminal station

Future extension

Phase 2, south:

The proposed extension from Tao Pun - Rat Burana will run southward through Bangkok's old quarter from Tao Pun junction on a viaduct. It then goes into an underground structure along Sam Sen Road, passing the new Thai parliament site, and transfers to the proposed Red inner-city shortcut commuter at Sanghi intersection. It passes the national library in Dusit District before it reaches Phra Nakhon District at Thewet Market. The line turns east at Bang Lamphu and goes along the city moat to the south, with transfers possible to the planned MRT Orange Line at Ratchadamnoen Road near the Democracy Monument. It also passes the Golden Mount before possible transfers to the southern extension of the Blue Line at Wang Burapha near Yaowarat Road in Chinatown and the Phahurat textile market.

The line crosses the Chao Phraya River near the Memorial Bridge towards the Wongwian Yai roundabout in Thonburi on the west bank, with possible transfers to the Dark Red Line commuter and to Wongwian Yai BTS Station. It continues south to Chom Thong, then on an elevated structure for 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) and terminates in Rat Burana District, a short distance to the nearby Phra Pradaeng suburban town in Samut Prakan Province. The total length will be about 19.8 km, and comprising eleven underground and five elevated stations.

North:

A 4.5 km extension from Bang Yai to Bang Bua Thong Intersection, which is not part of the original Purple Line plan, is under consideration due to a request from the Nonthaburi Governor.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Mahitthirook, Amornrat (26 November 2012). "Mall links to boost MRT's bottom line". Bangkok. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  2. ↑ 'Purple Line deal agreed BMCL signs 30-year contract with MRTA'. Bangkok Post, 5 September 2013
  3. ↑ "ITD closer to Purple Line contract". The Nation (Bangkok). 17 May 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  4. ↑ "Bangkok Purple Line contract awarded". International Railway Gazette. 22 Oct 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  5. ↑ http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1406545531
  6. ↑ http://www.mrta-purpleline.com/progress
  7. ↑ http://www.banmuang.co.th/2014/10/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%9C%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%B7%E0%B8%9A%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96/
  8. ↑ 'Japanese firms win Purple Line deal'. Bangkok Post, 6 November 2013
  9. ↑ "First Sustina export order". International Railway Gazette. 23 Sep 2014.
  10. ↑ Bid to extend Purple Line to Sai Noi intersection. The Nation, 5 May 2011

External links

See also