Purple Line (Bangkok)


The MRT Chalong Ratchadham line or MRT Purple line 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. The line was opened on 6 August 2016 and is the second line of MRT system operated by BEM.
The line is 23 km long, serving north-western part of Bangkok and Nonthaburi Province.

History

Origin

Officially named Chalong Ratchadham line - "To Celebrate the Great King’s Reign with Righteousness" - 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. 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. With a total distance of 12 km and 8 stations.
The second contract is from Phra Nangklao Bridge 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.
ContractNotesLength
1Bang Sue to Tao Poon and Tao Poon to Phra Nangklao Bridge12
2Phra Nangklao Bridge to Khlong Bang Phai11
3Depot at Khlong Bang Phai, four park and ride buildings
4Purple Line rolling stock, systems, operation and maintenance
5Blue Line systems, operation and maintenance
6Trackwork-

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, now renamed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited. The concession term is 30-year.
Chronologically signed last, fifth contract is for signaling, system, operation and maintenance of Blue Line Tao Poon extension. On 31 March 2017, fifth contract was effectively terminate and was now part of new Blue line concession agreement.
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. and in October 2014, civil works were stated to be 99% complete. During construction in June 2013 5 people were injured when 6 beams fell onto vehicles below Tao Poon station.
The line was opened on 6 August 2016. 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.
Blue Line extension to Tao Poon was opened about a year later, on 11 August 2017 and the ridership was increased. In 2019, daily ridership for this line is 70,000.

Route

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, serving 16 stations.

Stations

*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 rolling stock, and provide maintenance for 10 years as part of a contract worth 12.6 billion baht. East Japan Railway train manufacturing subsidiary J-TREC built the in Yokohama with the first sets delivered in early 2016.
In total, line is service by 21 three-car trains. Trains are powered by 750v DC via third rail system, are air-conditioned and capable of traveling at up to 80 km/h.

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. 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 which follows an earlier proposal by the Department of Railways to offer 40% discounts during off peak travel.

Ridership

When the Purple line first opened daily ridership was only 22,000 compared to projected numbers of 100,000. 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.
In August 2018, the MRTA Deputy Governor stated that daily ridership had increased to 60,000 each weekday. By late 2019, this had increased to 70,000.

Future

Southern Extension (Tao Poon - Rat Burana)

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 and 17 stations.
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. On 25 July 2017, Cabinet approved the 101 billion baht budget and tender for the extension. However, the tender was delayed with a new target for tendering process to begin in 2018. By December 2018, tendering has yet to begin and the project was delayed. In 2020, Ministry of Transport aimmed for a new target of start tendering process within 2020.

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.

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.