Free rides on Purple Line to be offered

Free rides on Purple Line to be offered

Commuters will be able to enjoy free rides on the new Purple Line electric train as part of a two-month system test run starting in June.

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority conducts a test run of its Purple Line Electric train yesterday from Bang Yai station in Nonthaburi to Tao Pun station in Bangkok before the elevated train officially opens on Aug 6. Wichan Charoenkiatpakul

Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) board chairman Yodyuth Boonyatikarn, speaking yesterday at a dummy run of the service without passengers on board, said 5,000 train tickets will be distributed daily to passengers free of charge during the trial-run of the service in June and July.

Passengers who want a ticket are required to register at one of three Purple Line stations: Khlong Bang Phai, Nonthaburi Intersection and Tao Pun.

Each person is limited to a maximum of three round-trip tickets. The registration will be divided into six rounds, on June 5, 12, 19, 26, July 3 and 10.

After the test runs, the 23km elevated Purple Line linking Bang Yai in Nonthaburi with Bang Sue in Bangkok, with 16 stations and fares of between 14-42 baht, will officially open on Aug 6.

National Legislative Assembly vice-president Surachai Liangboonlertchai was also at yesterday's test run. The test was led by Gen Yodyuth and MRTA governor Peerayudh Singpatanakul.

Regarding a railroad linking the Purple Line's Tao Pun station with Bang Sue station on the MRTA's Blue Line, Gen Yodyuth said the MRTA will today propose the development to the Public-Private Partnership Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.

If the committee approves, a team will source private investment for the project, while ensuring it is in line with Section 35 of the 2013 Private Investments in State Undertakings Act.

The committee may decide to negotiate with the existing operator, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM), which would save time, or hold a new bidding process to find other operators before forwarding the issue to the cabinet.

The result is expected early next month, he said.

The MRTA board chairman, however, said it will only take a year for the Tao Pun-Bang Sue electric rail link to be put into service if a contract is signed with the BEM.

Seeking new operators could delay the train service by at least three years.

As for a short-term solution, the MRTA is in talks to provide shuttle bus and diesel train services free of charge for passengers.

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