Pink Line (Bangkok)

The MRT Pink Line is an elevated mass rapid transit line currently under construction in Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province, Thailand.

MRT Pink Line สายสีชมพู
Overview
Type	Monorail
System	Metropolitan Rapid Transit
Status	Under Construction
Locale	Nonthaburi and Bangkok, Thailand
Termini	Khae Rai Min Buri
Stations	30
Operation
Planned opening	June 2022
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
Operator(s)	Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited
Character	Elevated
Depot(s)	Min Buri
Rolling stock	Bombardier INNOVIA Monorail 300 4 cars per trainset
Technical
Line length	34.5 kilometers (21.4 mi) (est.)
Number of tracks	2 monorail tracks
Electrification	750 V DC
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map  MRT : Tao Poon-Khlong Bang Phai Nonthaburi Civic Center  MRT  (planned) Khae Rai Sanambin Nam Samakkhi Royal Irrigation Department Pak Kret Pak Kret Bypass Chaeng Wattana-Pak Kret 28 Muang Thong Thani Si Rat Impact Challenger Mueang Thong Lake (Impact Forum) Chaeng Wattana 14 Government Complex Lak Si  SRT : Bangsue - Rangsit Rajabhat Phranakhon  BTS : Kheha - Khu Khot Wat Phra Sri Mahathat Ram Inthra 3 Lat Pla Khao Ram Inthra 31 Maiyalap  MRL : Tha Phra Vacharaphon Ram Inthra 40 Khu Bon Ram Inthra 83 East Outer Ring Road Nopparat Rajathanee Bang Chan Setthabutbamphen Min Buri Market Min Buri  MRT : Bang Khun Non - Suwinthawong

The monorail will be 34.5 km long with 30 stations. It will run in the northern part of the city from east Bangkok in Minburi , Bangkok along Ram Inthra Road to northwest Bangkok (Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province), Chaeng Watthana Road and Tiwanon Road ending at the Nonthaburi Civic Center. At the terminus there will be an interchange with MRT Purple Line and the proposed MRT Brown Line which is currently under evaluation. The BSR joint venture won the bid to construct and operate the MRTA Pink Line.

The line will also transfer with the SRT Dark Red Line which is under construction, the BTS Sukhumvit Line extension to Khu Khot (under construction), the planned BMA Grey Line in the future and interchange with the MRT Orange Line which is under construction. As such, it will be an important cross city link in the northern area of Bangkok & Nonthaburi linking 5 lines along a major transport corridor. The line is scheduled to open in 2022. [1]

Construction commenced in December 2017. At the end of July 2020, construction had progressed to 61.83%[2]

The BSR joint venture has proposed a 2.8km, 2 station spur monorail route to link to Impact, Muang Thong Thani from Si Rat station which was subsequently approved by the MRTA.[3]. The spur line proposal is pending the finalisation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which should be completed by the end of August 2020.[4] The proposal will then be presented to Cabinet for approval with a view to commence construction before the end of 2020.[5]

History

The MRT Pink Line was originally intended to be a heavy rail line but this was changed to monorail line in 2008 on the basis that construction costs would be cheaper. The director-general of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning had previously stated in an interview that the Pink Line was considered a priority scheme to be completed by 2017-18, as it ran past the then recently opened Government Complex.[6] A review in early 2012 was undertaken to consider the heavy rail option again. However, it was decided to proceed with the monorail plan on the basis that the overall cost would be cheaper than heavy rail. The review of the line also resulted in the addition of 6 extra stations. The environmental impact assessment for the Pink Line was finalised in late 2012. In late 2012, a request to extend the planned line east by 3.4 km from the Minburi terminus along Suwinthawongse Road to Nong Chok was submitted.[7] However, this was not implemented. The expected cost of the line in 2012 with the additional 6 extra stations was 55 billion baht.[8]

The MRT Pink line was then due to be tendered in the 3rd quarter of 2013 with construction due to commence in early 2014.[9] However, delays in preparation of the tender in relation to the selection of monorail rolling stock and subsequent political protests resulting in a snap national election in early Feb 2014, further delayed the Pink Line tender.[10] A subsequent coup in May 2014 resulted in a new military administration and the tender being deferred for 2014. The MRTA tender was subsequently not released until mid-2016 as a PPP tender.

In early December 2016, BSR Joint Venture (comprising BTS Group Holdings which owns 75%, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction - STEC, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generation Holding - RATCH), won the bid for the project and a 30 year concession to operate the line. The BSR also won the bid for the MRT Yellow Line. [11]

On 16 June 2017, the MRT Pink Line project contracts were signed by the BSR consortium with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand with a scheduled operational date of 2022. [12] The BSR has established Northern Bangkok Monorail Company Limited to operate the line.

Construction Progress

Construction of the MRT Pink Line began in December 2017 with the BSR consortium establishing a number of preparation work sites along the Chaeng Wattana rd/Ram Inthra rd corridor with the closure of lanes along this busy east-west corridor. [13] By 30 September 2018, overall construction had progressed to 10.37% [14] Construction work on Tiwanon Rd. Nonthaburi began at the end of October 2018 closing long stretches of the middle lanes between Khae Rai and Pak Kret intersections. At the end of March 2019, construction has progressed to 31.46%[15] By the end of July 2019, civil construction had further advanced to 40.13% [16] At the end of November 2019, construction had progressed to 48.15% [17] By the end of January 2020, construction had progressed to 51.96%[18] By the end of May 2020, construction had progressed to 58.78%[19]

At the end of July 2020, construction had progressed to 61.83%[20]

Rolling stock

BSR has selected Bombardier INNOVIA 300 monorail rolling stock for the Pink line.[21] The BSR has announced that they will purchase 42, 4 car sets to operate the Pink line.[22]

Innovia Monorail 300, Line 15 (Silver), São Paulo Metro, Brazil

Technical Characteristics

• Low profile vehicles/low floor height above beam[23]
• Distinct sloped nose/end-cap
• Inter-car walkthrough[23]
• Rubber-tires and permanent magnet motor[23]
• Aluminium body, steel underframe, composite end cap
• Innovia Monorails are all fully automated and are equipped with CITYFLO 650 communications-based train control for driverless operation to increase reliability, shorten head ways between trains and lower maintenance costs. .[24]

Guidebeams

The Bombardier INNOVIA Monorail 300 operates on a narrow, elevated guidebeam. Pre-cast, post-tensioned guidebeams are constructed at an off-site location and later installed on the system. The guidebeams are 690 mm (27 in) wide.[23] The Innovia Monorail 300 was designed to navigate curves as tight as 46 m and a maximum grade of 6%. Monorail switches are either beam replacement or multi-position pivot switches.[25] The system will have evacuation walkways down the entire length of the guidebeam. These walkways allow passengers to escape any onboard hazard. The maintenance crew also uses these walkways for repairs and general maintenance to the system.[26]

Muang Thong Thani Spur Line

In 2016, Bangkok Mass Transit System PLC. (BTSC) received a fund for an extension to link Impact, Muang Thong Thani and the Muang Thong Thani condominium buildings, from Bangkok Land Public Company Limited (SET: BLAND). Accordingly, the BSR joint venture proposed a 2.8km, 2 station spur monorail route to link to Impact, Muang Thong Thani from Si Rat station.[27] Pending final site approval, the two stations will be located adjacent to Impact Challenger building and near Muang Thong Thani Lake and Impact Forum. In early August 2018, a second public hearing was conducted by the MRTA into the extension proposal.[28]

The spur line has been approved by the MRTA and the proposal is pending the finalisation of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which should be completed by the end of August 2020.[29] The proposal will then be presented to Cabinet for approval with a view to commence construction before the end of 2020.[30]

The MRTA may also consider a further 2km extension from Muang Thong Thani to Tiwanon rd.[31]

List of planned stations

Originally, the line was to have 24 stations, 4 of which will be transfer stations and 2 of which will be "park & ride" stations. However, 6 new stations were added in mid-2012 for a total of 30 stations.

The line will also have 2 additional service stations for train maintenance.

Code	Name[32]	No. of Platform	Transfer(s)	Province
PK01	Nonthaburi Civic Center	2	MRT   MRT  (approved, design phase)	Nonthaburi
PK02	Khae Rai	2
PK03	Sanambin Nam	2
PK04	Samakkhi	2
PK05	Royal Irrigation Department	2
PK06	Yeak Pak Kret	2
PK07	Pak Kret Bypass	2
PK08	Chaeng Wattana-Pak Kret 28	2
PK09	Muang Thong Thani	2
PK10	Si Rat	2	MRL  Impact Link (proposed)
PK11	Chaeng Watthana 14	2		Bangkok
PK12	Government Complex	2
PK13	TOT	2
PK14	Lak Si	2	SRT  (under construction)
PK15	Rajabhat Phranakhon	2
PK16	Wat Phra Sri Mahathat	2	BTS
PK17	Ram Inthra 3	2
PK18	Lat Pla Khao	2
PK19	Ram Inthra Km.4	2
PK20	Maiyalap	2
PK21	Vatcharaphon	2	MRL  (proposed)
PK22	Ram Inthra Km.6	2
PK23	Khu Bon	2
PK24	Ram Inthra Km.9	2
PK25	Outer Ring Road - Ram Inthra	2
PK26	Nopparat	2
PK27	Bang Chan	2
PK28	Setthabutbamphen	2
PK29	Min Buri Market	2
PK30	Min Buri	2	MRT  (under construction)
Impact Link (Proposed spur line)
PK10	Si Rat	2	MRL  Main Line	Nonthaburi
PK41	Impact Challenger	2
PK42	Mueang Thong Lake	2

See also

• Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
• MRT (Bangkok)
• MRT Blue Line
• MRT Brown Line
• MRT Grey Line
• MRT Light Blue Line
• MRT Orange Line
• MRT Purple Line
• MRT Yellow Line
• BTS Skytrain
• BTS Sukhumvit Line
• BTS Silom Line
• Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)
• SRT Light Red Line
• SRT Dark Red Line
• Bangkok BRT
• BMA Gold Line

References

1. "BSR Joint venture wins rights for Bangkok's Yellow, Pink line MRTA construction". Bangkok Post. 7 December 2016.
2. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2574152359468149/2574151689468216 MRTA Press, 5 August 2020
3. "Junta to call bids for most infra projects - The Nation". The Nation. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
4. "รถไฟฟ้า 'สายสีชมพู' ขบวนแรกถึงไทย ปลายปี ตั้งเป้าใช้บริการ2แสนคนต่อวัน". Thansettakij. 22 July 2020.
5. "BSR Joint venture wins rights for Bangkok's Yellow, Pink line MRTA constructionรถไฟฟ้าเข้า"เมืองทอง"ผ่านอัยการสูงสุดแล้ว". Daily News. 25 June 2020.
6. "Mrt pink line route takes step forward" Bangkok Post 5 April 2010
7. 'ชาวบ้านรวมตัวเรียกร้อง เพิ่มปลายทางสุวินทวงศ์' Archived 2014-07-27 at the Wayback Machine, Ban Muang News, 24 Oct 2012.
8. 'รฟม.แบ่งเค้กรถไฟฟ้า2สายลงตัว "สีเขียว-ชมพู"ลงทุนร่วมแสนล้าน', Prachachat News, 6 Nov 2012.
9. "Cabinet to mull rail projects" Bangkok Post, 26 February 2013
10. ""Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2014-07-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)"
11. "BSR Joint venture wins rights for Bangkok's Yellow, Pink line MRTA construction". Bangkok Post. 7 December 2016.
12. "Pink and Yellow Lines construction contracts signed, operational in 2020". Thai PBS. 17 June 2017.
13. "Jams expected as monorail build begins". Bangkok Post. 21 November 2017.
14. https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news/information/. MRTA Press, 12 October 2018
15. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1433440196872710/2214355752114480 MRTA Press, 12 April 2019
16. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1433440196872710/2293373100879411 MRTA Press, 16 August 2019
17. https://www.facebook.com/CRSTECONPINKLINE/photos/a.1366959683410851/2540072529432888 MRTA Press, 11 December 2019
18. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/a.1409211292628934/2436659376550782 MRTA Press, 7 February 2020
19. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/posts/2526580167558702 MRTA Press, 4 June 2020
20. https://www.facebook.com/MRTA.PR/photos/pcb.2574152359468149/2574151689468216 MRTA Press, 5 August 2020
21. https://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1497601230
22. http://www.manager.co.th/iBizChannel/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9600000055953
23. "ALWEG - Bombardier Innovia Monorail 300". The Monorail Society - Technical Page. The Monorail Society. Archived from the original on 2015-07-07.
24. "Bombardier named systems supplier of the year - INNOVIA Monorail 300 system and CITYFLO 650 technology are winners in Sao Paulo". Purchasing B2B. Purchasing B2B. Archived from the original on 2015-07-13. Retrieved 2015-07-06.
25. "INNOVIA Monorail 300 System: a mass transport solution for the megacity of São Paulo" (PDF). CG/LA Infrastructure, Inc. CG/LA Infrastructure, Inc.
26. "URBAN MONORAIL TRACK". Monorail Australia. The Monorail Society.
27. "Junta to call bids for most infra projects - The Nation". The Nation. Retrieved 2017-06-17.
28. https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news/information/ประช-มร-บฟ-งความค-ดเห-น-คร-งท-2-ส-วนต-อขยาย-โครงการรถไฟฟ-าสายส-ชมพ-ฯ-สถาน-ศร-ร-ช-เม-องทองธาน/
29. "รถไฟฟ้า 'สายสีชมพู' ขบวนแรกถึงไทย ปลายปี ตั้งเป้าใช้บริการ2แสนคนต่อวัน". Thansettakij. 22 July 2020.
30. "BSR Joint venture wins rights for Bangkok's Yellow, Pink line MRTA constructionรถไฟฟ้าเข้า"เมืองทอง"ผ่านอัยการสูงสุดแล้ว". Daily News. 25 June 2020.
31. "Pink Line could stretch further". Bangkok Post. 6 August 2018.
32. "Pink line Route".

External links

• "MRTA Pink Line website"
• "2Bangkok Pink Line thread" Semi-regular updates, articles, pictures and commentary (In English)
• Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT & BRT network map