The Pink Line, a 34.5-kilometre monorail line connecting Min Buri in east Bangkok and Khae Rai in Nonthaburi, is slated to open next month, with free rides offered to riders for a month, according to the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) yesterday.
Speaking after inspecting construction along the line, DRT director-general, Pichet Kunadhamraks, said the Pink Line should be ready for a soft launch on Nov 18, as work is about 98% completed.
Once finished, the line will be the country's second monorail system after the Yellow Line, which has gone into commercial service. The lines are run by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA).
The line will allow commuters heading towards the city's east to bypass the heavily congested areas around Government Complex in Nonthaburi, as well as Rattanathibet, Chaeng Watthana and Ram Inthra roads.
The Pink Line has 30 stations, with interchanges with other electric rail systems, including the Green, Red and Purple lines.
Pink Line commuters will be able to reach the Government Complex through a skywalk. Wat Phra Si Mahathat and Lak Si stations also feature a skywalk which allows commuters to switch to the Green and Red lines, respectively.
The line's opening has had to be pushed back several times due to problems with the descending and ascending sections of tracks between Chaeng Watthana 14 and National Telecoms stations.
At present, all ground columns and stations are ready, except for some details on the roofs, railings, escalators and elevators, he said.
Once these works are completed, the project's contractor will reopen sections of the roads which were closed during the line's construction.
