Purple Line (Bangkok)

The MRT Purple line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีม่วง) or MRT Chalong Ratchatham line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายฉลองรัชธรรม) is Bangkok's fifth rapid transit line, following the Sukhumvit Line, Silom Line, MRT Blue Line, and Airport Rail Link. Daily ridership is 70,000.[2][3] The line was opened on 6 August 2016[4][5] and is the second line of MRT system operated by BEM.

MRT Purple Line or
Chalong Ratchatham Line
สายฉลองรัชธรรม
J-TREC sustina trainset
Overview
OwnerMass Rapid Transit Authority
LocaleNonthaburi Province and Bangkok
Termini
Stations26
Service
TypeRapid transit
SystemMRT
Operator(s)Bangkok Expressway and Metro
Depot(s)Khlong Bang Phai
Rolling stockJ-TREC sustina S24
History
Opened6 August 2016
Technical
Line length36,299 m (119,091 ft)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification750 V DC third rail
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
SignallingBombardier CITYFLO 650 moving block CBTC ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO), with subsystems of ATP, ATS and CBI[1]
Route map
PP1
 Khlong Bang Phai
 To Main Depot Right arrow
PP2
 Talad Bang Yai
PP3
 Sam Yaek Bang Yai
PP4
 Bang Phlu
PP5
 Bang Rak Yai
PP6
 Bang Rak Noi Tha It
PP7
 Sai Ma
 Chao Phraya River
PP8
 Phra Nang Klao Bridge
PP9
 Yaek Nonthaburi 1
PP10
 Bang Krasor
 MRT  Pink Line:
Min Buri Right arrow
PP11
 Nonthaburi Civic Center
PP12
 Ministry of Public Health
PP13
 Yaek Tiwanon
PP14
 Wong Sawang
 SRT  Light Red Line:
Left arrow Taling Chan – Bang Sue Right arrow
PP15
 Bang Son
PP16
 Tao Poon
 MRT  Blue Line:
Left arrow Tha Phra – Bang Sue Right arrow
Parliament House
 Sri Yan
 Vajira Hospital
 National Library
 Bang Khun Phrom
 Democracy Monument
 MRT  Orange Line:
Left arrow Taling Chan – Min Buri Right arrow
 Sam Yot
 MRT  Blue Line:
Left arrow Bang Khae – Hua Lamphong Right arrow
 Chao Phraya River
 Memorial Bridge
 SRT  Dark Red Line:
Left arrow Maha Chai – Hua Lamphong Right arrow
 Wongwian Yai
 BTS  Silom Line:
Left arrow Bang Wa – Siam Right arrow
 Samre
Dao Khanong
 Bang Pakaeo
 Bang Pakok
 Yaek Pracha Uthit
 Rat Burana
 Phra Pradaeng
 Khru Nai

The line is 23 km (14 mi) long,[5] serving north-western part of Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province.

History

Origin

Officially named the Chalong Ratchadham Line (Thai: สายฉลองรัชธรรม) – "To Celebrate the Great King's Reign with Righteousness"[6] – but informally known as the "Purple Line", the rapid transit system serves a north–south corridor in Bangkok's Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan. It incorporates an extension of the Blue Line from nearby Bang Sue station to Tao Poon station.

The construction project was divided into six contracts, three of them civil work. The contracts were signed from late 2009 to early 2010 and completion was originally scheduled for 2014.[7][8][9][10] The third contract included construction of four park and ride buildings at the Khlong Bang Phai, Sam Yaek Bang Yai, Bang Rak Noi Tha It, and Yaek Nonthaburi 1 stations. On 31 March 2017, the fifth contract was effectively terminated and became part of a new Blue Line concession agreement.[11][12]

Contract Notes Length (kilometers)
1 Bang Sue to Tao Poon and Tao Poon to Phra Nangklao Bridge[7] 12
2 Phra Nangklao Bridge to Khlong Bang Phai[8] 11
3 Depot at Khlong Bang Phai, four park and ride buildings[9]
4 Purple Line rolling stock, systems, operation and maintenance (contractor BEM)[13][14][15][16]
5 Blue Line (Bang Sue to Tao Poon) systems, operation and maintenance (contractor BEM)[17]
6 Trackwork (contractor ITD)[18][19]

The 2011 Thailand floods delayed the construction of the line, and in June 2013, five people were injured when six beams fell onto vehicles below Tao Poon station.[20] In July 2014, the civil work was 94 percent complete;[21][22] in October 2014, civil work was stated to be 99% complete.[23]

The line was opened on 6 August 2016.[4] However, the Blue Line extension section was delayed, so when it opened the Purple Line wasn't connected to any other rapid transit system in Bangkok. This resulted in low line usage. Even with a reduced fare, the line only attracted about 22,000 passengers daily compared to a goal of 100,000. A shuttle bus service was in operation between Bang Sue MRT station and Tao Poon MRT station until the MRT Blue Line extension was opened.[24] This extension was opened about a year later, on 11 August 2017,[25][26] and ridership then gradually increased. In 2019, daily ridership for the line was 70,000.[2][3]

Route
The MRT Purple Line platform at Khlong Bang Phai MRT Station
MRT Purple Line route map at Tao Poon Station (14 August 2016)
Ticket Vending machines at Khlong Bang Phai MRT Station
Entrance to Tao Poon station, MRT Purple Line
Khlong Bang Phai MRT Station

The Purple line starts from Khlong Bang Phai station in Bang Bua Thong District. The line travels south along Kanchanaphisek Road before turning eastward near Central WestGate, onto Rattanathibet Road. It continues along Rattanathibet Road, passing through a large residential area in Bang Yai District and crosses the Chao Phraya River on a bridge parallel to the Phra Nang Klao Bridge and runs towards Nonthaburi Civic Center station. The line then turns southward onto Tiwanon Road, passing the Ministry of Public Health and turns southeast onto Krung Thep-Nonthaburi Road, entering Yaek Tiwanon station. The line then enters Bangkok city limits at Bang Sue district and passes Bang Son station before terminating at the upper platforms of Tao Poon station, with a total length of 23 kilometres (14 mi), serving 16 stations.

Bangkok's Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan includes extending the Purple Line south from Tao Poon to Rat Burana through Bangkok's old town via both an underground and elevated route. The total planned length is 23.5 km (14.6 mi) (12.7 km (7.9 mi) underground, 10 km (6.2 mi) elevated and 0.8 km (0.50 mi) transitioning structure) with 17 stations (ten underground and seven elevated).[27]

Approval was expected in mid 2017 with a tender due in the second half of 2017.[28] On 25 July 2017, Cabinet approval was given,[29][30] but the tender was then delayed until 2018.[31][32] By December 2018, a tender had still not been issued and was further delayed.[33] In August 2019, subject to final land acquisition, a March 2020 tender was planned.[34] In mid 2020, the Ministry of Transport still aimed for a tendering process within 2020 despite COVID-19 related delays.[35] The MRTA expected the tender to be issued in February 2021.[36] If construction commences in the second half of 2021, the extension is projected to enter service in 2027.[37]

Construction contracts were finally signed in March 2022 for a planned 2027 opening date.[38] Construction is in progress, with civil work 3.45% complete as of September 2022. [39]

[5]

Stations
Further information: List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok
Code Station Name Distance
Between
Stations
km		 Transfer Location
English Thai
PP01 Khlong Bang Phai คลองบางไผ่ - Bang Bua Thong Nonthaburi
PP02 Talad Bang Yai ตลาดบางใหญ่ 1.27
PP03 Sam Yaek Bang Yai สามแยกบางใหญ่ 1.56
PP04 Bang Phlu บางพลู 1.57
PP05 Bang Rak Yai บางรักใหญ่ 1.20
PP06 Bang Rak Noi Tha It บางรักน้อย-ท่าอิฐ 1.25 Mueang Nonthaburi
PP07 Sai Ma ไทรม้า 1.25
PP08 Phra Nang Klao Bridge สะพานพระนั่งเกล้า 1.47
PP09 Yaek Nonthaburi 1 แยกนนทบุรี 1 1.63
PP10 Bang Krasor บางกระสอ 1.26
PP11 Nonthaburi Civic Center ศูนย์ราชการนนทบุรี 0.90  MRT  (under construction)  MRT  (design phase)
PP12 Ministry of Public Health กระทรวงสาธารณสุข 1.79
PP13 Yaek Tiwanon แยกติวานนท์ 1.20
PP14 Wong Sawang วงศ์สว่าง 1.72 Bang Sue Bangkok
PP15 Bang Son บางซ่อน 1.29  SRT  Southern Line, commuter trains (Transfer at Bang Son Halt)
PP16 Tao Poon เตาปูน 1.58  MRT 
Tao Poon - Kru Nai: 23.6 km (Under construction)
PP17 Parliament House รัฐสภา 1.986 Dusit Bangkok
PP18 Sri Yan ศรีย่าน 1.194
PP19 Vajira Hospital วชิรพยาบาล 0.931
PP20 National Library หอสมุดแห่งชาติ 0.837
PP21 Bang Khun Phrom บางขุนพรหม 0.924 Phra Nakhon
PP22 Democracy Monument อนุสาวรีย์ประชาธิปไตย 1.243  MRT  (Under tender)
PP23 Sam Yot สามยอด 1.033  MRT 
PP24 Memorial Bridge สะพานพุทธฯ 2.049  BTS  Prajadhipok (Planned) Thon Buri/Khlong San
PP25 Wong Wian Yai วงเวียนใหญ่ 0.954  BTS  (via underground walkway), commuter trains,  SRT  (Planned)
PP26 Samre สำเหร่ 1.509 Thon Buri
PP27 Dao Khanong ดาวคะนอง 1.859
PP28 Bang Pakaeo บางปะแก้ว 0.979 Rat Burana/Chom Thong
PP29 Bang Pakok บางปะกอก 1.733 Rat Burana
PP30 Yaek Pracha Uthit แยกประชาอุทิศ 0.947
PP31 Rat Burana ราษฎร์บูรณะ 0.919
PP32 Phra Pradaeng พระประแดง 1.642 Phra Pradaeng Samut Prakan
PP33 Khru Nai ครุใน 1.901

Rolling stock

In November 2013, BEM contracted with Marubeni Corp, Toshiba Corp, and East Japan Railway Company to install E&S systems, supply 21 three-car trains (total of 63 cars) rolling stock, and provide maintenance for 10 years as part of a contract worth 12.6 billion baht.[40] East Japan Railway train manufacturing subsidiary J-TREC built them in Yokohama with the first sets delivered in early 2016.[41]

In total, line is service by 21 three-car trains.[6] Trains are powered by 750v DC via third rail system, are air-conditioned and capable of traveling at up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

  • MRT Purple Line train entering a station.
    MRT Purple Line train entering a station.
  • Purple Line train spotted near Central Westgate.
    Purple Line train spotted near Central Westgate.
  • Interior of a train.
    Interior of a train.
  • Interior of a train.
    Interior of a train.
  • Dynamic route map
    Dynamic route map

Operation

The 16-station Purple Line runs from Khlong Bang Phai to Tao Poon and has a carrying capacity of 30,000 people in each direction per hour. The line operates daily from 06:00-24:00 with an interval of under 6 minutes during peak hours and 9 minutes during off-peak hours.[42] All stations on the line are equipped with platform screen doors. Stations are built to accommodate six-car trains, but only three-car trains are used. The line has 1 depot near Khlong Bang Phai station

The MRTA has proposed to BEM to introduce multi-trip package fares to reduce prices[43] which follows an earlier proposal by the Department of Railways to offer 40% discounts during off peak travel.[44]

Ridership

When the Purple line first opened daily ridership was only 22,000 compared to projected numbers of 100,000.[45] After the opening of the Blue Line extension to Tao Poon 1 year later in August 2017, daily average ridership increased significantly from 33,000 to 50,000.[46]

In August 2018, the MRTA Deputy Governor stated that daily ridership had increased to 60,000 each weekday.[47] By late 2019, this had increased to 70,000.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Bombardier Projects in Mass-transit signalling" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2021.
  2. https://www.khaosod.co.th/economics/news_2933591. Khaosod ,30 September 2019
  3. "MRTA to issue measure to reduce fares to attract passengers".
  4. "Purple Line: Newly launched, but few using it". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  5. Mokkhasen, Sasiwan (10 May 2016). "Sign up to test ride new MRT Purple Line". Khaosod English. Thailand. Archived from the original on 13 November 2021. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  6. "BEM บริษัททางด่วนและรถไฟฟ้ากรุงเทพจำกัด (มหาชน)". metro.bemplc.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  7. "ลงนามสัญญาที่1 รถไฟสีม่วง ช.การช่างได้เฮ". thairath.co.th (in Thai). 26 August 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  8. "รฟม.ลงนามสัญญา 2 สายสีม่วง มูลค่า 1.31 หมื่นล้านแล้ว". thairath.co.th (in Thai). 20 January 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  9. "รฟม.ตัดเค้กสัญญา 3 รถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วง "อิตาเลียนไทย" ได้ทานแห้ว". mgronline.com. 23 June 2009. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  10. "รถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงบางซื่อ-บางใหญ่ฉลุยเซ็นรับเหมาครบ3สัญญา ลงมือก่อสร้างก.พ.นี้ 3 ปีครึ่งเสร็จ !!". www.thailog.org. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  11. "ปิดดีลเดินรถสีน้ำเงิน ครม.ผ่านฉลุย เร่งเซ็นสัญญาจ้าง Bem ทยอยเปิดเดินรถปลายปี 62". mgronline.com. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  12. "BEM significant event in 2017" (PDF).
  13. "รถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงคืบหน้าแล้วกว่า70%". posttoday.com. 4 September 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  14. "Purple Line O&M contract (PDF)" (PDF).
  15. 'Purple Line deal agreed BEM signs 30-year contract with MRTA'. Bangkok Post, 5 September 2013
  16. "Bangkok Purple Line contract awarded". International Railway Gazette. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
  17. "BMCLอนุมัติเซ็นสัญญารถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงสัญญาที่5". bangkokbiznews.com/. 21 August 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  18. "ITD closer to Purple Line contract". The Nation. Bangkok. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
  19. isranews (4 October 2012). "รฟม.จ้างอิตาเลียนไทยฯสร้างรถไฟฟ้า". สำนักข่าวอิศรา (in Thai). Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  20. "MRTA Purple line accident injures 5". Bangkok Post. 7 June 2013.
  21. "คมนาคมตามความคืบหน้ารถไฟฟ้า 10 สาย เร่งสีม่วงเปิดปลายปี'58 ชงคสช.อนุมัติอีก 6 สาย : ประชาชาติธุรกิจออนไลน์". Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  22. "ระบบรถไฟฟ้าในกทม.และปริมณฑล".
  23. "หนังสือพิมพ์บ้านเมือง » คมนาคม เผยความคืบหน้ารถไฟฟ้า". Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
  24. "Fare cut boosts Purple Line riders, but still below target - Bangkok Post Property finance advice". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  25. "Purple Line to connect with MRT on Aug 11". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  26. "เปิดวิ่งเชื่อมต่อสถานีเตาปูน-บางซื่อ 12.00 วันนี้". bangkokbiznews.com/. 11 August 2017. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  27. "Revise on Purple Line extension detail design (in Thai, PDF)" (PDF).
  28. http://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/b358bn-rail-projects-expected-to-go-ahead/1256406. Bangkok Post, 26 May 2017
  29. "ครม.ไฟเขียวรถไฟฟ้าม่วงใต้ 1.101 แสนล้าน "อาคม" จ่อชงอีก 4 สายครบโครงข่าย". 25 July 2017.
  30. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30321793. The Nation, 25 July 2017
  31. https://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/purple-line-south-link-bid-faces-delay/1357647. Bangkok Post, 10 Nov 2017
  32. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1541274/tor-for-slate-of-transport-projects-set-for-fast-track. Bangkok Post, 17 September 2018
  33. "Purple Line, Phuket light rail among projects up for PPP". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  34. User|Yappofloyd meeting with MRTA Planning Division on 7 August 2019 at MRTA Headquarters
  35. "'ศักดิ์สยาม'สั่งลุยเปิดประมูลรถไฟฟ้าสายสีส้ม-ม่วงใต้ภายในปีนี้". Thai Post | อิสรภาพแห่งความคิด. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  36. เช็กคืบหน้ารถไฟฟ้าทุกสี ต้นปี 64 เปิดประมูล สีม่วง “เตาปูน-ราษฎร์บูรณะ. Prachachat, 1 December 2020
  37. Theparat, Chatrudee (30 October 2020). "Tangled lines". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  38. "Purple Line southern section construction to start this year". 11 March 2022.
  39. "เปิดไซต์ก่อสร้างรถไฟฟ้า 4 สาย ส้ม เหลือง ชมพู คืบเกิน 90% สีม่วง เตาปูน-ราษฎร์บูรณะ เดินหน้าแล้ว 3.42%". Matichon. Archived from the original on 8 October 2022. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  40. 'Japanese firms win Purple Line deal'. Bangkok Post, 6 November 2013
  41. "First Sustina export order". International Railway Gazette. 23 September 2014.
  42. "แผนที่เส้นทาง". metro.bemplc.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 22 June 2020.
  43. "Discounted multi-trip packages proposed for Blue, Purple lines". Bangkok Post. 1 October 2019.
  44. "Rail regulator weighs off-peak discounts". Bangkok Post. 3 September 2019.
  45. "Fare cut boosts Purple Line riders, but still below target - Bangkok Post Property finance advice". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  46. "Purple Line use up 47% since 'missing link' completed". Bangkok Post. Bangkok. 8 September 2017.
  47. http://www.thansettakij.com/content/309472. Thansettakij, 27 August 2018
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