Blue Line link trial to start next month

Blue Line link trial to start next month

The Bang Sue-Tha Phra extension of the MRT mass-transit line will open for a public trial run next month, completing the Blue Line's planned loop around the centre of Bangkok.

The new 13-kilometre stretch, which charges up to 42 baht per ride, connects to the Hua Lamphong-Lak Song extension, which opened in late September. It has seven stations.

The new extension is in the testing and pre-opening stages before its official launch early next year, said Witoon Hatairatana, deputy managing director of railway system operation and engineering at Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM), the operator of the MRT lines.

However, it has yet to be decided whether the fares on the new extension will be waived during the trial run like when the 14-km Hua Lamphong-Lak Song extension opened, Mr Witoon said.

With the loop now complete, the MRT's ridership is expected to double to 800,000 rides per day, he said.

Regarding the planned fare cuts, part of the Transport Ministry's policy to ease the financial burden on riders, Mr Witoon said the reductions would apply to monthly tickets on the Blue Line, Purple Line and Airport Rail Link this year.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT