Mass Transit Network Latest Expansion

Since its inception in 1999, Bangkok’s mass transit line is currently undergoing mass expansion. Once it formed of only the BTS Skytrain that operated two lines: the Sukhumvit and Silom Lines, now more commonly referred to as the Light and Dark Green Lines. Once up and running, over the years Bangkok residents have become heavily dependent on these means of transport, and the success of which has driven its growth as well as the country’s love affair with cars.

Expressways were built to ease congestion, however these paid tolls proved only partly successful as car ownership continued to creep upwards meaning that despite more roads, there were more cars around to occupy them. This thrust the mass transit network into the spotlight further.

Both the Sukhumvit and Silom lines have extended beyond their original terminal stations. The Sukhumvit/Light Green Line has been edging further eastwards and now passes its former end point of Bearing as it travels into the province of Samut Prakan. The terminal station is now Kheha meaning that residents in these areas can now reach central Bangkok without needing to face the traffic on the roads, and also results in attractions such as Ancient City and Samut Prakan Crocodile Farm being accessible by this infrastructure network. In the opposite direction this line currently finishes at Mo Chit but is currently being extended as it will soon travel into Saphan Mai passing the Royal Air Force Museum. The next station beyond Mo Chit due to open any minute.

The Dark Green/Silom Line has already extended from its first terminal station of Saphan Taskin, explaining why this station only has one platform, to Bang Wa. Looking the other way, there are plans for it to extend beyond its current terminal station of National Stadium as it will journey onwards to Yot Se. 

The MRT Blue Line that travels beneath the ground opened in 2004 travelling from Hua Lamphong to Tao Poon providing an invaluable route through the city as it links areas such as Silom, Sukhumvit and Rama 9. The extension of this line will soon extend into Chinatown and beyond allowing people easy access to significant sites such as the Grand Palace at MRT Sanam Chai which is dubbed as Bangkok’s most grand station since it has been designed to resemble part of the royal palace. Once complete the MRT Blue Line will encircle the whole of the city for unrivalled travel but in the meantime four stations are due to open imminently.

The latest line to make its mark in Bangkok is the MRT Purple Line. Starting in Tao Poon and travelling through the province of Nonthanburi, like any development of the mass transit network, there has been a lot of attention as it has opened up this corner of Bangkok. A notion that will continue as Bangkok’s mass transit network continues its extension in all directions.