Bang Sue Central Station, which is set to replace Hua Lamphong as the capital's main rail transport hub, will be operational by January 2021, the State Railway of Thailand's (SRT) acting governor Worawut Mala says.

He said construction of the station is expected to be completed by November of next year and the installation of the signal system should be wrapped up by mid-2020.

A test run of the station will be conducted in June 2020, the acting governor said.

According to him, after the station is completely built, Hua Lamphong terminal would not be abandoned as it can still function as a railway station for the Red Line electric train project's extension linking Phaya Thai, Makkasan, Hua Mak and Hua Lamphong.

Mr Worawut said the subterranean floor of Bang Sue station will be set aside as parking space that can accommodate 1,700 vehicles.

The ground floor of the station will be used for ticket sales and reservations, contain a lounge for passengers as well as have commercial areas.

The first floor will consist of four platforms for Red Line trains as well as another eight platforms for long-distance train services.

Meanwhile, the second floor will accommodate 10 rail platforms for regional train services while another two platforms could also be used to serve high-speed trains and airport rail link services in the future.

The acting governor said the station will also have a walkway linking Bang Sue's Red Line station with the Blue Line Bang Sue train service.

Construction of Bang Sue Central Station is now 60% complete, Mr Worawut noted.