Bang Na–Suvarnabhumi light rail

BMA Bang Na–Suvarnabhumi line
 15 
Overview
Native nameรถไฟฟ้าสายสีเงิน
StatusFeasibility study
LocaleBangkok, Samut Prakan
Termini
Stations14
Service
TypeLight rail, Rapid transit
SystemBangkok Mass Transit
Depot(s)Thana City depot
History
OpenedUndetermined
Technical
Line length19.7 km (12.2 mi)
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationThird rail
Operating speed80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map

Legend
 Sukhumvit Line
Bang Na
 BTS 
 Prapha Montri
Bang Na–Trat 17
Bang Na–Trat 25
Yellow Line Si Lasalle-Si Udom
Si Iam
 MRT 
 Prem Ruethai
Bang Na–Trat Km.6
Bang Kaeo
Kanchanaphisek
Wat Salut
King Kaeo
Thana City
Krirk University
Suvarnabhumi South Terminal
 ARL 
 Suvarnabhumi Suvarnabhumi Airport
Airport Rail Link
This diagram:

The BMA Bang Na–Suvarnabhumi line is a proposed light rail line in Bangkok that would run from Bang Na junction to Suvarnabhumi Airport. The line was first proposed in 1994, but it was not included in the 2005 OTP Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan. Initially, it was planned for the line to potentially be a BTS Sukhumvit Line branch line with turnouts constructed near Bang Na junction. In December 2015, the BMA said it would advance construction and would propose it to cabinet in the near future.[1] In April 2016, deputy governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said the project would take 3–6 years and cost THB 20 billion.

The line would be proposed to be constructed in two phases. Firstly, for 14.7 km to Thana City and then a later 5.1 km extension to the airport.[2] The project would relieve congestion along the busy Bang Na - Trat rd corridor and provide an important southern connection to Suvarnabhumi Airport.[3] Initial forecasts of daily passengers are 56,000 upon opening rising to 139,000 daily when the extension to the airport opens.[4]

In early September 2021, the BMA contracted consultants to undertake a 6-month feasibility study into the line.[5] The feasibility study was completed in March 2022. On 8 April 2022, the BMA deputy permanent secretary conducted a market sounding seminar to detail the project to potential investors and advised that the report would be submitted to the Interior Ministry for endorsement.[6] If the Interior Ministry approves the project it will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in 2023.[7]

The BMA proposes to gain Cabinet approval for the line in 2023 and conduct a tender in 2024 with a suggested three year construction period commencing in 2025 for a targeted opening date of 2029.[8]

Route Alignment

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Bang Na–Thana City Section

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This section starts at the Sunphawut road (in front of MEA Bang Na District, Bang Na District Office, and Phra Khanong Provincial Court), runs along the said road, pass Bang Na intersection, above the outbound Debaratana road's median, pass across Si Iam interchange which connects to MRTA Yellow Line, over the Kingkaew interchange which is a transfer point to Kingkaew-Suvarnabhumi Monorail, and terminate at Thana City. This section's ending terminus is at the 13th km of Debaratana road and the depot of the line itself. There will be a 46,400 sq.m. depot at Thana City, which the BMA will purchase from U City Public Co. Ltd., the owner of Thana City project.[9]

Thana City–Suvarnabhumi

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The line continues from the Thana City and passes Central Village and Krirk University before crossing Nong Prue and Nong Ngu Hao canal. The terminus is the future south terminal of Suvarnabhumi Airport which has not yet started construction. However, AoT has modified the terminal to give the line direct access to the passenger building, unlike Suvarnabhumi ARL Station which was built in an unused Novotel Suvarnabhumi walkway.

Route Changes

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  • 2016 - The starting terminus was changed from Udom Suk BTS Station to Sunphawut intersection, in front of Phra Khanong Provincial Court and the new Bang Na District Office. This change will ease the trip to contact these government offices.
  • May 2018 - OTP and JICA agreed to completely reconsider the route. The line was extended from Sanphawut intersection to run above Thang Rotfai Sai Kao Pak Nam Road, into At Narong Road, along Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway, turn to Rama III Road, and end at the Chao Phraya River. The area around the river terminus will be developed into a new SRT economic zone.[10] Additionally, the cancellation of the route Thana City-Si Waree Noi Temple was discussed. Although the cancellation would decrease the length of the line, the focus was on moving people to and from Suvarnabhumi Airport. The aforementioned route is to be included in M-Map 2.

History

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The line initially appeared on the 1994 Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan (MTMP), before it was further improved in the 1996 CTMP. It was an extension to the Tanayong SkyTrain until it was canceled when Urban Rail Transportation Master Plan in Bangkok and Surrounding Areas (URMAP) was developed in 2000. Then, in a 2004 OTP meeting, it was decided that the route needed to be expanded to meet the need of the expanding Bangkok. The route was finally determined to terminate at the Sri Iam interchange and Suvarnabhumi Airport. However, the line was not included in the 2005 OTP Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan.

When the BTS Sukhumvit Line extension from On Nut to Bearing was completed in August 2011. provision was made with turnouts constructed near Bang Na junction for a future BTS spur line from Bang Na junction to the airport. However, the BMA later decided that the line would be a separate light-rail line.

Recent planning progress

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In early September 2021, the BMA Traffic and Transport Department contracted consultants to undertake a six-month feasibility study into the line.[11] The consultants would evaluate a PPP framework for the project and conduct market sounding seminars as part of the study.[12] The line would be proposed to be constructed in two phases. Firstly, for 14.7 km to Thana City and then a later 5.1 km extension to the Airport.[13] Initial forecasts of daily passengers are 56,000 upon opening rising to 139,000 daily when the extension to the airport opens.[14]

The feasibility study was completed in March 2022. On 8 April 2022, the BMA deputy permanent secretary conducted a market sounding seminar to detail the project to potential investors and advised that the report would be submitted to the Interior Ministry for endorsement.[15] The BMA stated that the study concluded that the LRT should have a maximum speed of 80 kilometres/hour with a 30-minute trip time with capacity for 15,000 to 30,000 passengers per hour. If the Interior Ministry approves the project it will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in 2023.[16]

Project Details

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The LRT system will be 1.435 m (standard gauge) with third rail electrification and max speed of 80 kph with automatic signalling system, allowing the round trip in 1 hour. The LRT rolling stock will be 4 car formation able to transport between 15000 - 30000 passengers per hour. The minimum fare is planned to be 14 baht to a maximum 46 baht.[17]

List of planned Stations

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There are 14 stations planned including 13 elevated stations and 1 underground station at the airport. Station names are subject to change.[18] Station codes are still not determined. Each station is planned to be equipped with platform screen doors.

Code Station Name Thai Transfer Location
S01 Bang Na บางนา  BTS : Bang Na, Udom Suk Bangkok
S02 Prapha Montri ประภามนตรี
S03 Bang Na–Trat 17 บางนา–ตราด 17
S04 Bang Na–Trat 25 บางนา–ตราด 25
S05 Wat Si Iam วัดศรีเอี่ยม  MRT : Si Iam
S06 Prem Ruethai เปรมฤทัย Samut Prakan
S07 Bang Na–Trat Km.6 บางนา–ตราด กม. 6
S08 Bang Kaeo บางแก้ว
S09 Kanchanaphisek กาญจนาภิเษก
S10 Wat Salut วัดสลุด
S11 King Kaeo กิ่งแก้ว
S12 Thana City ธนาซิตี้
S13 Krirk University มหาวิทยาลัยเกริก
S14 Suvarnabhumi South Terminal สุวรรณภูมิ อาคารใต้  ARL : Suvarnabhumi

Network Map

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BMA proposing Bang Na-Suvarnabhumi light rail". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  2. ^ "BMA Bang Na–Suvarnabhumi project". Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  3. ^ "BMA expedites Bang Na - Suvarnabhumi LRT project - Rail Professional". Rail Professional. 2016-04-21. Archived from the original on 2016-11-24. Retrieved 2016-11-24.
  4. ^ "มาแล้ววว LRTรถไฟฟ้าสายใหม่"บางนา-สุวรรณภูมิ". Daily News. 18 December 2021.
  5. ^ "Bang Na rail plan to be scrutinised". Bangkok Post. 4 September 2021.
  6. ^ "LRT airport link 'ready by 2029'". Bangkok Post. 9 April 2022.
  7. ^ "BMA accelerates the Bang Na – Suvarnabhumi light rail transit project expected to begin service in 2029". Bangkok Post. 19 April 2022.
  8. ^ "กทม. เร่งสรุปผลรถไฟฟ้ารางคู่ขนาดเบาสายบางนา-สุวรรณภูมิ เชื่อมต่อการเดินทางย่านบางนา-ตราด คาดจะเปิดให้บริการปี 2572". BMA PR Department. 8 April 2022.
  9. ^ Sirinanthawitthaya, Chalermchai. "BTSได้สายสีเขียว30ปี วางเกมต่อเข้าธนาซิตี้". Thunhoon. Archived from the original on 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  10. ^ "รถไฟฟ้า LIGHT RAIL บางนา-สุวรรณภูมิ จะมาไม่มา...?". Realist. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
  11. ^ "Bang Na rail plan to be scrutinised". Bangkok Post. 4 September 2021.
  12. ^ "เฮ! กทม.ผุดรถไฟรางเบา 'บางนา–สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ". Thai Post. 3 September 2021.
  13. ^ "BMA Bang Na–Suvarnabhumi project". Archived from the original on 2021-09-04. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  14. ^ "มาแล้ววว LRTรถไฟฟ้าสายใหม่"บางนา-สุวรรณภูมิ". Daily News. 18 December 2021.
  15. ^ "LRT airport link 'ready by 2029'". Bangkok Post. 9 April 2022.
  16. ^ "BMA accelerates the Bang Na – Suvarnabhumi light rail transit project expected to begin service in 2029". Bangkok Post. 19 April 2022.
  17. ^ "กทม. เร่งสรุปผลรถไฟฟ้ารางคู่ขนาดเบาสายบางนา-สุวรรณภูมิ เชื่อมต่อการเดินทางย่านบางนา-ตราด คาดจะเปิดให้บริการปี 2572". BMA PR Department. 8 April 2022.
  18. ^ "BTSGIF General Presentation" (PDF). BTSGIF. p. 33. Retrieved 2019-10-25.
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