Bangkok's Metro network - expansion plans & updates
Mar 9, 2023, 6:34 am
#256
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
My recent visit to Bangkok reminded me of how irritating it was to use the rail transit, and in general how much more I like the buses.
1) Transit-wise, the Rabbit card is still only for the BTS. What a joke. However, I did notice that Rabbit could also be used at some shopping center food establishments.
The MRT Yellow & Pink Lines will use the Rabbit card
2) The advertising plastered all over the BTS carriages seems like it would be very unsafe in times of emergency. Plus, you could never tell how full the damn carriage is. And where's the mute button for the advertising inside of the BTS?
3) Where's the Spider card? I thought that was the key to unite BTS/MRT/Airport Rail.
MRTA & MOT couldn't get BEM & BTSC to coperate as the private operators mistakenly think they will lose revenue. The concession agreements don't complel the operators to introduce a single ticketing platform which is the fault of the MRTA and BMA. More, recently the BMA is musing giving the BTS network to the MRTA given construction & operational debts that have been transferred to the BMA.
4) Single-use tickets aren't valid for the next day, and they're only valid for specific stations. Ridiculous. In places where I'm familiar with the territory, I've tended to buy a ticket in advance (e.g. for a metro somewhere, when I'm lugging bags to an airport/train station) so as to not have to deal with peak traffic ... at the ticket counters/machines.
5) The major bus complaint is that at the newer bus stops, there are screens telling you when certain buses will be stopping there. However, those screens are only in Thai. Detractors might say, "then go learn Thai." I get that short-term visitors don't tend to use the bus (save for a few lines involving Sukhumvit/Khao San), but if you're going to have the name of the bus stop in English (and at random bus stops, a bilingual bus route guide), why not just have the screen quickly alter between Thai and English.
On the other foot, the good news is that those bus stops with screens tend to have wi-fi; just zip to this website and it's all good.]
1) Transit-wise, the Rabbit card is still only for the BTS. What a joke. However, I did notice that Rabbit could also be used at some shopping center food establishments.
The MRT Yellow & Pink Lines will use the Rabbit card
2) The advertising plastered all over the BTS carriages seems like it would be very unsafe in times of emergency. Plus, you could never tell how full the damn carriage is. And where's the mute button for the advertising inside of the BTS?
3) Where's the Spider card? I thought that was the key to unite BTS/MRT/Airport Rail.
MRTA & MOT couldn't get BEM & BTSC to coperate as the private operators mistakenly think they will lose revenue. The concession agreements don't complel the operators to introduce a single ticketing platform which is the fault of the MRTA and BMA. More, recently the BMA is musing giving the BTS network to the MRTA given construction & operational debts that have been transferred to the BMA.
4) Single-use tickets aren't valid for the next day, and they're only valid for specific stations. Ridiculous. In places where I'm familiar with the territory, I've tended to buy a ticket in advance (e.g. for a metro somewhere, when I'm lugging bags to an airport/train station) so as to not have to deal with peak traffic ... at the ticket counters/machines.
5) The major bus complaint is that at the newer bus stops, there are screens telling you when certain buses will be stopping there. However, those screens are only in Thai. Detractors might say, "then go learn Thai." I get that short-term visitors don't tend to use the bus (save for a few lines involving Sukhumvit/Khao San), but if you're going to have the name of the bus stop in English (and at random bus stops, a bilingual bus route guide), why not just have the screen quickly alter between Thai and English.
On the other foot, the good news is that those bus stops with screens tend to have wi-fi; just zip to this website and it's all good.]
Next time you are in BKK download the VIABus app. It has real time locations and routes of all BMTA buses. Just click on any bus stop and you can see where every bus curerently is that uses that stop . Clcik on each bus number listed to see the whole route. It will even give you an ETA based on curerent traffic conditions. It is very easy to use and you don't need to know any Thai.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...ia&hl=en&gl=US
Mar 9, 2023, 7:41 am
#257
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SE Asia
Programs: Thai ROP GOLD, SIA Silver Kris, QANTAS FF, Velocity Rewards, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 353
Construction progress as at 28 Feb
ARL ext from Phaya Thai to DMK
For the Airport Link the CP consortium did finally take over operations in Sept last year after missing 3 payment deadlines. However, they have delayed starting works on the estension to DMK and the Eastern HSR line (AKA 3 Airport line) as the consortium is seeking to renegotiate the terms of the contract and concession in a post Covid context. When they originally signed the contract in Oct 2019 they stated that the line would be operational by 2024.
Assuming that construction does begin mid 2023 to Q3 2023, then this line will not be completed until late 2028 and more likely well into 2029.
.
ARL ext from Phaya Thai to DMK
For the Airport Link the CP consortium did finally take over operations in Sept last year after missing 3 payment deadlines. However, they have delayed starting works on the estension to DMK and the Eastern HSR line (AKA 3 Airport line) as the consortium is seeking to renegotiate the terms of the contract and concession in a post Covid context. When they originally signed the contract in Oct 2019 they stated that the line would be operational by 2024.
Assuming that construction does begin mid 2023 to Q3 2023, then this line will not be completed until late 2028 and more likely well into 2029.
.
Is it safe to assume that there's less pressure to complete the ARL extension from Phaya Thai to DMK now that the SRT Red Line from Bang Sue with DMK is operational? Or not related at all.
Mar 9, 2023, 10:20 pm
#259
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 4,013
Jun 6, 2023, 7:25 am
#260
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
Construction progress as at 28 Feb
1) MRT Orange Line: 99%
2) MRT Pink Line: 95.37%
3) MRT Yellow Line: 98.54%
4) MRT Purple Line:7.73%
Further delays with the opening of the MRT Pink and MRT Yellow monorail lines
The MRT Yellow line and MRT Pink line were due to open as per I posted above. However, In early Nov it was obvious that there were significant delays with the installing of systems and also with fitting out of stations and exit/entrances installation - stairs and escalators. Accordingly, in mid Dec the BSR announced that both lines would now open later in 2023. Initially, it was said to be June for the Yellow line and August for 1st stage of Pink but more recently.it is now;
1) MRT Orange Line: 99%
2) MRT Pink Line: 95.37%
3) MRT Yellow Line: 98.54%
4) MRT Purple Line:7.73%
Further delays with the opening of the MRT Pink and MRT Yellow monorail lines
The MRT Yellow line and MRT Pink line were due to open as per I posted above. However, In early Nov it was obvious that there were significant delays with the installing of systems and also with fitting out of stations and exit/entrances installation - stairs and escalators. Accordingly, in mid Dec the BSR announced that both lines would now open later in 2023. Initially, it was said to be June for the Yellow line and August for 1st stage of Pink but more recently.it is now;
There has been a lot of confusion with contradictory announcements made in the last few weeks by both BSR and MRTA, but finally the first part of the MRT Yellow line opened for free trial period last Sat 3 June. The first section open is from Samrong to Hua Mark so it links the BTS and ARL lines.
In a couple of weeks the remainder of the line should open to Latphrao should be open. The free trial period will operate until the end of June from 9am to 8pm runing every 10 mins. It's a bit of a bumpy ride and not everyone loves the lack of seating but thus far loads of Thais are trying it out - 80k in the first 3 days according to the BKK Post.
From 1 July it is expected that full operations will commence.
MRT Pink line
For the Pink line it is currently stated that it will open in August but only from Minburi to Laksi initially. We'll have to wait for confirmation.
Jun 6, 2023, 7:25 pm
#261
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: YouTube: @FindingFoodFluency
Posts: 441
MRT Yellow line finally open for free trial !
There has been a lot of confusion with contradictory announcements made in the last few weeks by both BSR and MRTA, but finally the first part of the MRT Yellow line opened for free trial period last Sat 3 June. The first section open is from Samrong to Hua Mark so it links the BTS and ARL lines.
There has been a lot of confusion with contradictory announcements made in the last few weeks by both BSR and MRTA, but finally the first part of the MRT Yellow line opened for free trial period last Sat 3 June. The first section open is from Samrong to Hua Mark so it links the BTS and ARL lines.
Inept management for sure. Wasn't the Spider card supposed to cover everything?
Jun 6, 2023, 10:04 pm
#262
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 4,013
Having different ticket systems for each mode of transport is..... yeah I think you used the right terminology.
Guess it is a small consolation that you can use a contactless credit card instead of a ticket token on the MRT nowadays..
Jun 8, 2023, 1:34 am
#263
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SE Asia
Programs: Thai ROP GOLD, SIA Silver Kris, QANTAS FF, Velocity Rewards, Emirates Skywards
Posts: 353
Anyway regarding the new Yellow monorail, is that not being managed by the BTS mob?
And can Rabbit be used on the new Monorail Yellow line?
Jun 8, 2023, 2:44 am
#264
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lincoln UK/BKK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Diamond, NOK Star
Posts: 431
Jun 11, 2023, 1:56 am
#265
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
From Monday, the trial section will be extended all the way along Lat Phrao rs to YL2 station Phawana with extended operating hours from 6am to 8pm.
(Latphrao still has some installtion works so it won't be ready for a little longer)
Jun 11, 2023, 2:07 am
#266
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 284
1) MRT Orange Line: 99.96% - still at least 2.5 years away from opening
2) MRT Pink Line: 96.73%
2a) MRT Pink line spur: 22.89%
3) MRT Yellow Line: 99.29%
4) MRT Purple Line southern ext:11.55%
MRT Brown line (monorail) update:
The MRTA board has approved the final design but there are still some further pax studies to be completed. Expected to seek approval by the Min of Transport as a PPP project before seeking final Cabinet approval in early 2024. Tender expected in late 2024/early 2025.
Jun 11, 2023, 9:54 am
#267
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Europe
Posts: 1,596
I travelled on the new Yellow Line on the first day of operation, from Hua Mak to Samrong and back.
I was expecting it to be super-crowded, but it wasn't - plenty of people, but not too busy.
I know that this is a secondary route and cost was an important factor, but while the trains are fine, the ride is quite bumpy - uncomfortably so at some points. I imagine that this will only deteriorate as the line ages.
I was expecting it to be super-crowded, but it wasn't - plenty of people, but not too busy.
I know that this is a secondary route and cost was an important factor, but while the trains are fine, the ride is quite bumpy - uncomfortably so at some points. I imagine that this will only deteriorate as the line ages.
Jun 14, 2023, 9:56 am
#268
Join Date: Apr 2022
Location: YouTube: @FindingFoodFluency
Posts: 441
Oh? International credit cards are accepted MRT-wide now? That's a step forward ... now if we could get the BTS to do the same, as well as remove ads from the doors (from a safety perspective/how freaking crowded is this train perspective), then we'd be cooking with gas.
Jun 15, 2023, 3:13 am
#269
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 4,013
Oh? International credit cards are accepted MRT-wide now? That's a step forward ... now if we could get the BTS to do the same, as well as remove ads from the doors (from a safety perspective/how freaking crowded is this train perspective), then we'd be cooking with gas.
I assume international cards work as long as they are contact-less, although I have only tried with my local Visa credit card (note, debit cards do not work)