The Department of Rail Transport has unveiled an ambitious new master plan, known as the Second Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region (M-MAP 2), aimed at enhancing the rail transit system in the bustling Bangkok metropolis and its satellite provinces. The plan comprises 33 new routes to cater to the growing demand from commuters in the rapidly expanding city.
Deputy Government Spokeswoman Tipanan Sirichana said the comprehensive M-MAP 2 includes eight routes from the previous M-MAP 1, which were yet to be constructed, along with 14 entirely new routes and extensions of 11 existing routes.
Under the original M-MAP, the city has already seen the construction and operation of 242.34 kilometers of mass transit railways, with another 105.40 kilometers currently under construction, as per Tipanan’s statement.
The M-MAP 2, meanwhile, forms a critical part of the 20-year National Strategic Plan, reflecting the government’s determination to develop the country’s transport and communication infrastructure to keep pace with future development.
One of the primary objectives of the new master plan is to establish a modern and efficient public transport system that will lessen the reliance on private vehicles, thereby alleviating traffic congestion, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, boosting economic growth, and fostering sustainable national development.
The proposed M-MAP 2 is segmented into four groups of routes: four necessary routes, which are ready for immediate construction, six necessary routes slated to commence construction in 2029, nine routes expected to pass feasibility studies under the M-MAP 1, and 26 feeder lines.
The routes under M-MAP 2 encompass a diverse range of vehicles, including commuter trains, light rail, heavy rail, trams, and electric buses. (NNT)
