Purple Line (Bangkok)

The MRT Chalong Ratchadham line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายฉลองรัชธรรม) or MRT Purple line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีม่วง) 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.[1][2] The line was opened on 6 August 2016[3] and is the second line of MRT system operated by BEM.

Purple Line
J-TREC Sustina trainset
Overview
Native name	สายฉลองรัชธรรม
Type	Heavy Rail
System	MRT
Locale	Nonthaburi Province and Bangkok
Termini	Khlong Bang Phai Tao Poon
Stations	16
Operation
Opened	6 August 2016
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority
Operator(s)	Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited
Depot(s)	Khlong Bang Phai
Technical
Line length	23 km (14 mi)
Number of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8 ^1⁄2 in)
Electrification	Third rail
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map PP1 Khlong Bang Phai To Main Depot PP2 Talat 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 Nangklao Bridge PP9 Yaek Nonthaburi 1 PP10 Bang Kraso  MRL  Pink Line: Min Buri PP11 Nonthaburi Civic Center PP12 Ministry of Public Health PP13 Yaek Tiwanon PP14 Wong Sawang  SRT  Light Red Line: Taling Chan – Bang Sue PP15 Bang Son PP16 Tao Poon  MRT  Blue Line: Tha Phra – Bang Sue Future Extension Parliament Si Yan Sam Sen National Library Bang Khun Phrom Phan Fa  MRT  Orange Line: Taling Chan – Min Buri Sam Yot  MRT  Blue Line: Bang Khae – Hua Lamphong Chao Phraya River Memorial Bridge  SRT  Dark Red Line: Maha Chai – Hua Lamphong Wongwian Yai  BTS  Silom Line: Bang Wa – Siam Samre Chom Thong Dao Khanong Bang Pakok Phacha Uthit Rat Burana Phra Pra Daeng Kru Nai

The line is 23 km long, serving north-western part of Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province.

History

Origin

Officially named Chalong Ratchadham line (Thai: สายฉลองรัชธรรม) – "To Celebrate the Great King’s Reign with Righteousness"[4] – or informally but recognized by operator as the "Purple Line" is a rapid transit planned to served a north-south corridor by Bangkok's Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan. The first section of a line, from Khlong Bang Phai to Tao Poon were to be built first. Because the alignment of the section choose to be built, which at the time, does not connect to any in-operation rapid transit line in Bangkok. The Purple line program included an extension of already operated Blue line, from nearby Bang Sue station to Tao Poon station.

Project was divided into six contracts with three contracts being a civil work. Contract for civil work was signed between late 2009 to early 2010 with an original schedule of a 2014 opening.[5][6][7][8] The first contract is a civil work for Blue Line, from Bang Sue to Tao Poon and Purple Line from Tao Poon to Phra Nangklao Bridge (excluding Phra Nangklao Bridge station). With a total distance of 12 km and 8 stations.

The second contract is from Phra Nangklao Bridge station (including the station) to Khlong Bang Phai station, with a length of 11 km and 8 stations.

The third contract was for the construction of a train depot near Khlong Bang Phai station and four park and ride buildings. Situated at Khlong Bang Phai, Sam Yaek Bang Yai, Bang Rak Noi Tha It, and the Yaek Nonthaburi 1 stations.

Sixth contract is for track work. Contract was sign on 4 October 2012 with ITD.[9][10]

Contract	Notes	Length (Kilometer)
1	Bang Sue to Tao Poon and Tao Poon to Phra Nangklao Bridge[5]	12
2	Phra Nangklao Bridge to Khlong Bang Phai[6]	11
3	Depot at Khlong Bang Phai, four park and ride buildings[7]
4	Purple Line rolling stock, systems, operation and maintenance (contractor BEM)[11][12][13][14]
5	Blue Line (Bang Sue to Tao Poon) systems, operation and maintenance (contractor BEM)[15]
6	Trackwork[9][10]

Forth contract is for rolling stocks, signaling, system, operation and maintenance of Purple Line. Contract worth 82.6 billion baht and was signed on 4 September 2013 with Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL),[11][12][13][14] now renamed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM). The concession term is 30-year.

Chronologically signed last, fifth contract is for signaling, system, operation and maintenance of Blue Line Tao Poon extension.[15] On 31 March 2017, fifth contract was effectively terminate and was now part of new Blue line concession agreement.[16][17]

During the construction of a Purple line, it suffers a massive flood which delayed the construction of the line. In July 2014, civil works construction was 94 percent complete.[18][19] and in October 2014, civil works were stated to be 99% complete.[20] During construction in June 2013 5 people were injured when 6 beams fell onto vehicles below Tao Poon station.[21]

The line was opened on 6 August 2016.[3] However, the Blue line extension section was delayed. At the open, Purple line wasn't connect to any rapid transit system in Bangkok. This resulted in a low line usage. Even with the fare being reduced, line only attracted about 22,000 passengers daily compared to a goal of 100,000.[22]

Blue Line extension to Tao Poon was opened about a year later, on 11 August 2017 [23][24] and the ridership was increased. In 2019, daily ridership for this line is 70,000.[1][2]

• 
  MRT Purple Line under constructed
• 
  Construction site of MRT Purple line being flooded in 2011
• 
  The MRT Purple Line platform at Khlong Bang Phai MRT Station
• 
  MRT Purple Line Route Map at Tao Poon Station. Photo was taken on 14 August 2016.

Route

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. Line travel south along Kanchanaphisek Road before turning eastward near Central Westgate, onto Rattanathibet Road. Line then continue along Rattanathibet Road, passing through a large residential area in Bang Yai District, crosses the Chao Phraya River on a bridge parallel to the Phra Nangklao Bridge and runs to Nonthaburi Civic Center station. Line then turn southward onto Tiwanon Road, passing Ministry of Public Health and turn southeast onto Krung Thep-Nonthaburi road, entering Yaek Tiwanon station. Line then entering Bangkok city limit at Bang Sue district. Passing Bang Son station before terminate at upper platform of Tao Poon station. With a total length is 23 kilometres (14 mi), serving 16 stations.

Stations

Further information: List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok

Code	Station name English	Station name Thai	Distance Between Stations (km)	Connections*	Location
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
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	Southern Line, commuter trains (Transfer at Bang Son Halt)
PP16	Tao Poon	เตาปูน	1.58	MRT

*Only rail service that already open for public use is shown

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.[25] East Japan Railway train manufacturing subsidiary J-TREC built the in Yokohama with the first sets delivered in early 2016.[26]

In total, line is service by 21 three-car trains.[4] Trains are powered by 750v DC via third rail system, are air-conditioned and capable of traveling at up to 80 km/h.

• 
  MRT Purple Line train entering a station.
• 
  Purple Line train spotted near Central Westgate.
• 
  Interior of a train.
• 
  Interior of a train.
• 
  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. Line operated everyday from 6am to midnight with headway of under 6 minutes during rush hour and 9 minutes during non-rush hour.[27] All stations on the line are equipped with platform screen doors. Stations are build to accommodate six-car trains, but only three-car trains were 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[28] which follows an earlier proposal by the Department of Railways to offer 40% discounts during off peak travel.[29]

Ridership

When the Purple line first opened daily ridership was only 22,000 compared to projected numbers of 100,000.[30] 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.[31]

In August 2018, the MRTA Deputy Governor stated that daily ridership had increased to 60,000 each weekday.[32] By late 2019, this had increased to 70,000.[1]

Future

Southern Extension (Tao Poon - Rat Burana)

Bangkok's Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan planned for Purple line to be extended south from Tao Poon to Rat Burana through Bangkok's old town. The extension starts from Tao Poon station. Line then descends into an underground tunnel and running along Sam Sen Road, passing the new Thai parliament building, national library. Through Dusit District and Phra Nakhon District. Then turn southeast near Bang Lamphu into Phra Sumen Road. Then south into Maha Chai road, passing Golden Mount and Sam Yot station. Line travels underneath Chao Phraya River near the Memorial Bridge towards the Wongwian Yai in Thonburi. Passing Mahai Sawan Intersection before ascending onto an elevated viaduct. It continues as an elevated line along Suk Sawat road through Chom Thong, Rat Burana. Before terminate at Kru Nai station near Kanchanaphisek Bridge in Phra Pradaeng, with a total length of 23.5 km (12.7 km underground, 10 km elevated and 0.8 km transitioning structure) and 17 stations (10 underground and 7 elevated).[33]

Purple Line Southern Extension
Code	Station name English	Station name Thai	Distance Between Stations (km)	Connections*	Location
PP17	Parliament House	รัฐสภา	1.986 (from Tao Poon)		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	Phan Fa	ผ่านฟ้า	1.243
PP23	Sam Yot	สามยอด	1.033	MRT
PP24	Memorial Bridge	สะพานพุทธฯ	2.049		Thon Buri/Khlong San
PP25	Wong Wian Yai	วงเวียนใหญ่	0.954	BTS  (270m Transfer via undergound walkway), Commuter trains
PP26	Sam Rae	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	Rama 9 Bridge	สะพานพระราม 9	0.947
PP31	Rat Burana	ราษฎร์บูรณะ	0.919
PP32	Phra Pradaeng	พระประแดง	1.642		Phra Pradaeng	Samut Prakan
PP33	Kru Nai	ครุใน	1.901

Station names are as per report published in 2019, are subject to change and are not finalized, station location may shift slightly

*Only rail service that already open for public use is shown

The Cabinet was expected to approve the Purple Line Southern extension in mid 2017 with a tender due in the 2nd half of 2017.[34] On 25 July 2017, Cabinet approved the 101 billion baht budget and tender for the extension.[35][36] However, the tender was delayed with a new target for tendering process to begin in 2018.[37][38] By December 2018, tendering has yet to begin and the project was delayed.[39][40] In 2020, Ministry of Transport aimmed for a new target of start tendering process within 2020.[41]

Potential Northern Extension

A 4.5 km extension from Bang Yai to Bang Bua Thong intersection - which was not part of the original Purple Line plan - has previously been requested by the Nonthaburi governor.[42]

Further southern Extension

OTP has previously indicated in 2008 that a southern cross-river connection could be built between Samrong and Rat Burana either by extending the MRT Yellow Line or by extending the Purple line. However, such an extension would only be considered after 2029 once all other planned lines are fully operational.

See also

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

References

1. https://www.khaosod.co.th/economics/news_2933591. Khaosod ,30 September 2019
2. "MRTA to issue measure to reduce fares to attract passengers".
3. Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Purple Line: Newly launched, but few using it". https://www.bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 21 June 2020. External link in |website= (help)
4. "BEM บริษัททางด่วนและรถไฟฟ้ากรุงเทพจำกัด (มหาชน)". metro.bemplc.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 22 June 2020.
5. "ลงนามสัญญาที่1 รถไฟสีม่วง ช.การช่างได้เฮ". thairath.co.th (in Thai). 26 August 2009. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
6. "รฟม.ลงนามสัญญา 2 สายสีม่วง มูลค่า 1.31 หมื่นล้านแล้ว". thairath.co.th (in Thai). 20 January 2010. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
7. mgronline.com https://mgronline.com/business/detail/9520000070869. Retrieved 25 June 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
8. "รถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงบางซื่อ-บางใหญ่ฉลุยเซ็นรับเหมาครบ3สัญญา ลงมือก่อสร้างก.พ.นี้ 3 ปีครึ่งเสร็จ !!". www.thailog.org. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
9. "ITD closer to Purple Line contract". The Nation. Bangkok. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2012.
10. isranews (4 October 2012). "รฟม.จ้างอิตาเลียนไทยฯสร้างรถไฟฟ้า". สำนักข่าวอิศรา (in Thai). Retrieved 25 June 2020.
11. "รถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงคืบหน้าแล้วกว่า70%". https://www.posttoday.com. Retrieved 25 June 2020. External link in |website= (help)
12. "Purple Line O&M contract (PDF)" (PDF).
13. 'Purple Line deal agreed BEM signs 30-year contract with MRTA'. Bangkok Post, 5 September 2013
14. "Bangkok Purple Line contract awarded". International Railway Gazette. 22 October 2012. Retrieved 6 May 2013.
15. "BMCLอนุมัติเซ็นสัญญารถไฟฟ้าสายสีม่วงสัญญาที่5". https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/. Retrieved 25 June 2020. External link in |website= (help)
16. mgronline.com https://mgronline.com/business/detail/9600000031726. Retrieved 25 June 2020. Missing or empty |title= (help)
17. "BEM significant event in 2017" (PDF).
18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 October 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
19. http://www.mrta-purpleline.com/progress
20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 October 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2014.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
21. "MRTA Purple line accident injures 5". Bangkok Post. 7 June 2013.
22. "Fare cut boosts Purple Line riders, but still below target - Bangkok Post Property finance advice". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
23. Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Purple Line to connect with MRT on Aug 11". https://www.bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 24 April 2020. External link in |website= (help)
24. "เปิดวิ่งเชื่อมต่อสถานีเตาปูน-บางซื่อ 12.00 วันนี้". https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/. Retrieved 25 June 2020. External link in |website= (help)
25. 'Japanese firms win Purple Line deal'. Bangkok Post, 6 November 2013
26. "First Sustina export order". International Railway Gazette. 23 September 2014.
27. "แผนที่เส้นทาง". metro.bemplc.co.th (in Thai). Retrieved 22 June 2020.
28. "Discounted multi-trip packages proposed for Blue, Purple lines". Bangkok Post. 1 October 2019.
29. "Rail regulator weighs off-peak discounts". Bangkok Post. 3 September 2019.
30. "Fare cut boosts Purple Line riders, but still below target - Bangkok Post Property finance advice". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
31. "Purple Line use up 47% since 'missing link' completed". Bangkok Post. Bangkok. 8 September 2017.
32. http://www.thansettakij.com/content/309472. Thansettakij, 27 August 2018
33. "Revise on Purple Line extension detail design (in Thai, PDF)" (PDF).
34. http://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/b358bn-rail-projects-expected-to-go-ahead/1256406. Bangkok Post, 26 May 2017
35. http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9600000075739
36. http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30321793. The Nation, 25 July 2017
37. https://www.bangkokpost.com/archive/purple-line-south-link-bid-faces-delay/1357647. Bangkok Post, 10 Nov 2017
38. https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1541274/tor-for-slate-of-transport-projects-set-for-fast-track. Bangkok Post, 17 September 2018
39. Limited, Bangkok Post Public Company. "Purple Line, Phuket light rail among projects up for PPP". https://www.bangkokpost.com. Retrieved 25 June 2020. External link in |website= (help)
40. Member meeting with MRTA planning division on 7 August 2019 at MTRA Headquarters
41. "'ศักดิ์สยาม'สั่งลุยเปิดประมูลรถไฟฟ้าสายสีส้ม-ม่วงใต้ภายในปีนี้". Thai Post | อิสรภาพแห่งความคิด. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
42. Bid to extend Purple Line to Sai Noi intersection. The Nation, 5 May 2011

External links

• "BEM Purple Line website"
• "MRTA Purple Line South Extension website"
• Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT & BRT network map