BANGKOK, Feb 9 – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will go ahead with its BTS Skytrain Silom Line extension for a distance of 5.3km (Taksin-Petchakasem), expected to be ready for services by Aug 12, or Her Majesty Queen Sirikit’s birthday, next year, 2013.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Teerachon Manomaipiboon spoke after going for an inspection at the construction area.
The BTS Silom line extension to the Thonburi side of Bangkok, west of the Chao Phraya River, comprises the four stations of Potinimitr, Talad Plu, Wuttakad, and Bang Wa.
For additional operations, the existing Wongwian Yai (S8) and the Talad Plu (S10) Stations provide commuters with Park & Ride services, while a Skywalk will be at S10 to link with the BMA’s express bus service — Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) — at its Ratchaphruek Station.
The route between S8 and S10 is expected to be open on Dec 5, which falls on His Majesty King Bhumibol’s birthday, this year. Around 126,000 passengers/day are expected once the full line is open for services in August next year.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Teerachon also inspected the BRT route and cited it is to be expanded to meet the size of Greater Bangkok’s mass transit network and to support the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup, to be hosted in November at a new stadium in the capital’s Nong Chok district.
Other types of buses of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) may additionally be used for commuters at the Futsal Worldcup, as previously discussed with Transport Ministry, according to Mr Teerachon.
Three routes are planned to reach the Nong Chok stadium from Suvarnabhumi Airport, Hua Mak Sports Complex and Min Buri. This matter, however, will be on the discussion table again with the
ministry, the deputy governor said while being certain it will be supported by the government.
The Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) was launched in 2010 to assist commuters travelling to offices and homes from Sathorn Road to Ratchapruek Road in the Tha Phra area in the Thonburi side of Bangkok.
