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Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
Info
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
Locale	Bangkok, Thailand
Transit type	Rapid transit
Number of lines	1
Number of stations	18
Daily ridership	Over 200,000
Operation
Began operation	3 July 2004
Operator(s)	Bangkok Metro PCL
Number of vehicles	19 three-car Siemens Modular Metro
Technical
System length	20 km (12.43 mi)
Route map Legend North Extension  Tha Phra Charan Sanit Wong 13 Yaek Fai Chai Bang Khun Non Bang Yi Khan Sirindhorn Bang Phlat Bang O Chao Phraya River Bang Pho Tao Pun Bang Sue Kamphaeng Phet Chatuchak Park Phahon Yothin Lat Phrao Ratchadaphisek Sutthisan Huai Khwang Depot Thailand Cultural Centre Phra Ram 9 Phetchaburi Sukhumvit Queen Sirikit Center Khlong Toei Lumphini Si Lom Sam Yan Hua Lamphong South Extension  Wat Mangkon Kamalawat Wang Burapha Sanam Chai Chao Phraya River Itsaraphap Tha Phra Bang Phai Bang Wa Phetkasem 48 Phasi Charoen Bang Khae Lak Song

The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), sometimes referred to as the Bangkok Metro, is Bangkok's underground metro system. It was constructed under a concession concept. Most civil infrastructure were provided by the government sector, Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and handed over to their concessionaire under a 25-year concession agreement. Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL) is the only private sector company that won a bid in MRTA's concession contract for the blue line. As MRTA's concessionaire, BMCL provides M&E equipment, including electrical trains, signalling systems, SCADA, communication, PSD, etc for the subway project and fully operates the system. To maintain the system, BMCL has subcontracted in 10 years to Siemens which was the M&E system supplier since system opeing and 7 years maintenance contract to two local maintenance services for north and south line. The MRT line is officially known in Thai as rotfaifah mahanakhon (รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร) or "metropolitan electric train", but it is more commonly called rotfai taidin (รถไฟใต้ดิน), literally, "underground train". The metro has a fleet of 19 trains; the 19th train entered service in October, 2007 after a major accident.

Besides the MRT, Bangkok also has an elevated rail system called BTS or informally the Skytrain.

History

Platform screen door at all stations

Inside of the Train

The construction of the first Bangkok Metro line, officially known as Chaloem Ratchamongkhon (Thai สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) – "Celebration of Royal Auspice" – or informally as the "Blue Line", began on 19 November 1996. The project suffered multiple delays not only because of the 1997 economic crisis, but also due to challenging civil engineering works of constructing massive underground structures deep in the water-logged soil upon which the city is built.

The Blue Line was opened for a limited public trial period of several weeks starting on 13 April 2004. On 3 July 2004 the line was officially opened at 19:19 local time by HM King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, who were accompanied by other members of the royal family. Within 30 minutes of its opening, sightseers filled the system to its maximum capacity, but after the initial rush ridership has settled down to around 180,000 riders daily — considerably lower than projections of over 400,000, despite fares being slashed in half from 12-38 baht to 10-15 baht per trip. From 2006 until 2008, fares ranged between 14-36 baht per trip. The fare was raised to 16-41 Baht on 1 January 2009.

Operation

The entrance to Huai Khwang station

The 21-kilometer, 18-station Blue line presently runs from Bang Sue to Hua Lamphong via Phra Ram 9 and has a carrying capacity of 40,000 people in each direction per hour. Similar to the Skytrain, the Metro uses trains supplied by Siemens which travel up to 80 km/h. Passengers can conveniently connect to the Skytrain at Si Lom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak Park stations. The metro has a large depot in Huai Khwang district, which is located between Phra Ram 9 and Thailand Cultural Centre stations. Considering that Bangkok is a low-lying plain which is prone to flooding, all of the Metro's station entrances are raised about one metre above the ground level and are equipped with built-in floodgates in order to avoid water inundating the system. Lifts and ramps are found at all stations, providing easy access for passengers in wheelchairs. Stations have multiple passage ways (generally four) which allow passengers to connect to any corner of the adjacent surface intersection. Maps depicting the local area and exit points are posted on the walls on the way out. Due to safety considerations, platform screen doors are installed. Uniformed security personnel and security cameras are present at each and every platform.

19 three-car metro trains, of the Siemens Modular Metro type, are used. Each metro train consists of two motor cars and a centre trailer car.^[1]

The ticketing system uses RFID contactless technology with round black tokens issued for single trips and contactless stored value cards for frequent travellers. In the near future, a joint ticketing system will be set up so that passengers can use a single ticket on the Metro as well as on the Skytrain. Multi-storey park & ride facilities are provided at Lat Phrao and Thailand Cultural Centre. Motorists who park their cars at these premises will be issued with additional contactless smartcards and they need to have them electronically stamped at their destination station.

Major accident record

Entrance to Silom Station (Interchange with BTS Sala Daeng Station)

On 17 January 2005, just after 09:15, an empty train returning to the depot collided with a peak-hour train filled with passengers at the Thailand Cultural Centre station. 140 people were hurt, most of whom sustained only minor injuries, and the entire Metro network was shut down for two weeks.

After initial investigations, it was found that the empty train had run into problems shortly before the accident, grinding to a halt on a curve leading to the depot. The driver applied its brake and was waiting to be towed to the maintenance centre close to Thailand Cultural Centre station.

A rescue train was attempting to connect to the stalled train when the driver was told to release the brake while coupling had not yet been successful. It was then that the empty train began to roll backwards at a speed of ten metres per second, before smashing into the other train, which was carrying passengers. Therefore, it was believed that the incident was caused by negligence due to insufficient training of operation staff.^[2] This accident also resulted in two damaged trains with heavily damaged areas limited to the two leading cars. The colliding speed was suspected to be about 60 km/hrs due to the appearance of damaged areas. However, one train, which was rebuilt from the repair of the minor-damaged cars, was already fitted for operation at the end of 2006 and the remaining one was still under heavy repair until mid of 2007; it was released into service in October, 2007. The cost resulting from the accident might be a much higher figure than BMCL quoted, and it was expected to be at least 400 million baht, which was totally insured by a local insurance company. The accident was recorded as the most severe damage ever in any metro system in Thailand.

The Metro resumed full operation on 1 February 2005, and passenger numbers soon rose back to pre-crash levels, partly due to a temporary promotional fare scheme which allowed passengers to travel any distance on the MRT for only ten baht (~0.25 USD).

Underground malls

Passageways between exits have been setup as malls and are steadily opening, creating underground cities. This is ironic since food and drink is not allowed in stations.

List of stations

Blue Line

Code	Station Name	Transfer	coordinates
Blue Line
	Tha Phra (Planned)	Bangkok Metro Blue Line: Bang Khae Extension  (proposed)
	Charan Sanit Wong 13 or Panit Thonburi (Planned)
	Yaek Fai Chai (Planned)
	Bang Khun Non (Planned)	Bangkok Metro Orange Line  (proposed) BMTA bus lines/taxi link to Taling Chan floating market
	Bang Yi Khan or Boromarajajonani or Phra Pinklao (Planned)	BMTA bus lines/taxi link to Southern Bus Terminal (Phuttha Monthon Sai 1)
	Sirindhorn or Krung Thonburi Bridge (Planned)	SRT Light Red Line  (proposed) (Taling Chan - Makkasan extension)
	Bang Phlat (Planned)
	Bang O (Planned)	For Yanhee Hospital
	Bang Pho (Planned)
	Tao Pun	Bangkok Metro Purple Line  (proposed) Under construction together with Purple Line Bang Yai - Bang Sue Project
18 BAN	Bang Sue	Terminal station Bang Sue Junction Railway Station and Phahon Yothin Railway Station SRT Dark Red Line  (proposed) SRT Light Red Line  (proposed)	13°48′8.75″N 100°32′27.36″E / 13.8024306°N 100.5409333°E / 13.8024306; 100.5409333
17 KAM	Kamphaeng Phet	For Chatuchak Weekend Market and MOF Farmers' Market	13°47′51.83″N 100°32′54.07″E / 13.7977306°N 100.5483528°E / 13.7977306; 100.5483528
16 CHA	Chatuchak Park	Sukhumvit Line: Mo Chit with outdoor Park & Ride lot BMTA bus lines/taxi link to Northern and Northeastern Bus Terminal (Morchit 2) For Chatuchak Park	13°48′9.85″N 100°33′13.21″E / 13.8027361°N 100.5536694°E / 13.8027361; 100.5536694
15 PHA	Phahon Yothin	For Central Plaza Lat Phrao, Union Mall and St. John's University	13°48′46.25″N 100°33′41.22″E / 13.8128472°N 100.56145°E / 13.8128472; 100.56145
14 LAT	Lat Phrao	with Park & Ride facility and THAI's City Air Terminal with connections to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK)	13°48′23.21″N 100°34′22.54″E / 13.8064472°N 100.5729278°E / 13.8064472; 100.5729278
13 RAT	Ratchadaphisek	For hotels and business offices along Ratchadaphisek Ring Road	13°47′56.58″N 100°34′28.37″E / 13.79905°N 100.5745472°E / 13.79905; 100.5745472
12 SUT	Sutthisan	For Sutthisarn area (AKA Poor man Patpong)	13°47′24.12″N 100°34′27.02″E / 13.7900333°N 100.5741722°E / 13.7900333; 100.5741722
11 HUI	Huai Khwang	For many massage and entertainment facilities, in Huai Khwang area	13°46′43.13″N 100°34′26.64″E / 13.7786472°N 100.5740667°E / 13.7786472; 100.5740667
10 CUL	Thailand Cultural Centre	Bangkok Metro Orange Line  (proposed) with Park & Ride facility About a 20-minute walk to the performing-arts venue at Thailand Cultural Centre, Siam Niramit; for Jusco, Carrefour and Robinson department stores, as well as the Esplanade Cineplex	13°45′58.11″N 100°34′12.75″E / 13.7661417°N 100.5702083°E / 13.7661417; 100.5702083
9 RAM	Phra Ram 9	For Fortune Town shopping center and IT mall at Phra Ram 9 Intersection	13°45′26.57″N 100°33′54.56″E / 13.7573806°N 100.5651556°E / 13.7573806; 100.5651556
8 PET	Phetchaburi	Suvarnabhumi Airport Link: Bangkok City Air Terminal SRT Light Red Line  (proposed) Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat (Asok Pier) For Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarnmit Campus)	13°44′56.90″N 100°33′48.20″E / 13.749139°N 100.563389°E / 13.749139; 100.563389
7 SUK	Sukhumvit	Sukhumvit Line: Asok Nearby Siam Society and Sukhumvit shopping area For Srinakharinwirot University (Prasarnmit Campus)	13°44′15.36″N 100°33′40.91″E / 13.7376°N 100.5613639°E / 13.7376; 100.5613639
6 SIR	Queen Sirikit National Convention Center	For the Stock Exchange of Thailand, QSNCC and Klong Toei Market area	13°43′23.04″N 100°33′36.36″E / 13.7230667°N 100.5601°E / 13.7230667; 100.5601
5 KHO	Khlong Toei	For Bon Kai - Klong Toei area	13°43′20.57″N 100°33′14.26″E / 13.7223806°N 100.5539611°E / 13.7223806; 100.5539611
4 LUM	Lumphini	For Suan Lum Night Bazaar and Lumphini Park (Suan Lumphini) and dropping point to Sathon and Wireless Road	13°43′32.07″N 100°32′45.10″E / 13.725575°N 100.545861°E / 13.725575; 100.545861
3 SIL	Silom	Silom Line: Sala Daeng For Lumphini Park, Chulalongkorn Hospital and Si Lom business area	13°43′45.44″N 100°32′15.21″E / 13.7292889°N 100.5375583°E / 13.7292889; 100.5375583
2 SAM	Sam Yan	For Chulalongkorn University, Chamchuri Square edutainment complex center and Snake Farm of the Thai Red Cross	13°43′55.49″N 100°31′50.76″E / 13.7320806°N 100.5307667°E / 13.7320806; 100.5307667
1 HUA	Hua Lamphong	Terminal station Hua Lamphong Railway Station, with trains in all directions. SRT Dark Red Line  (proposed)	13°44′14.17″N 100°31′4.05″E / 13.7372694°N 100.5177917°E / 13.7372694; 100.5177917
	Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Planned)	For Yaowarat (Bangkok Chinatown)
	Wang Burapha (Planned)	Bangkok Metro Purple Line  (proposed) For Wang Burapha and Phahurat shopping area
	Sanam Chai or Pak Khlong Talat (Planned)	For Pak Khlong Talat flower market, Memorial Bridge (Saphan Phut Night Market), Wat Pho and Museum of Siam (National Discovery Museum)
	Itsaraphap or Bangkok Yai (Planned)	For Wat Arun and Bangkok Yai Area
	Tha Phra (Planned)	Bangkok Metro Blue Line: Bang Sue-Tha Phra Extension  (proposed)
	Bang Phai (Planned)
	Bang Wa (Planned)	Silom Line: Bang Wa Extension  (proposed)
	Phetkasem 48 (Planned)
	Phasi Charoen (Planned)
	Bang Khae (Planned)	For Bang Khae Market area
	Lak Song (Planned)	Terminal at Kanchanaphisek Road (Western Bangkok Ring Road) with park & ride facilities

Expansion plans

Various expansion plans of the Metro have been proposed, as of 2010, construction work has been started on the MRT Purple Line. It is planned that, eventually, the combined route distance of the Metro alone will total 91 km with 3 Metro lines covering all of the major areas of Bangkok. The Blue line, once completely extended, will form a lariat-shaped loop encircling the city.

The initial expansion plan can be summarised as follows:

• Blue Line extension:

1. Bang Sue – Bang Phlat – Tha Phra (13 km)
2. Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra – Bang Khae (14 km)

• Purple Line: Bang Yai – Sam Sen – Rat Burana (40 km)
• (Phase 1: Bang Yai - Bang Sue construction underway and will be in operation in 2013 ^[3]
  
• (Phase 2: Rama III Bridge - Klong Bang Pai construction underway and will be in operation in 2013)

^[4]

• (Phase 3: Depot at Bang Yai and four park-and-ride centres at the Nonthaburi, Ta-id, Samyek Bang Yai and Klong Bang Pai stations construction commencing)
  
• (Phase 4: (last Phase) The fourth contract, worth Bt4 billion, has yet to be put up for bidding and involves installation of the rail system.

• Orange Line: Bang Kapi – Sam Sen – Bang Bamru (24 km)

Other expansion plans for the metro include:

• Yellow Line: Lat Phrao – Sri Nagarindra – Samut Prakan
• Brown Line:Bang Kapi – Ramkamheang Road – Saen Saep (10 km)
• Pink Line:Saen Saep – Ram-Inthra Rd. – Chaeng Watthana Road – Tiwanon-Ngamwongwan Road intersection. (35 km)

[Note] that these plans do not include the extension proposed for the Skytrain, SRT Lines and airport link which is under the control of State Railway Thailand. BMCL itself expects to be the operator for the extension project and other lines but the final decision is still dependent on MRTA (government sector).

As per the BMCL's annual report, earning of profit from operation is still far away and BMCL is still subsidized by main share holder which is CH Karnchange. An accumulated deficit from now is estimated between 1,000 and 1,500 Million Bahts. Nevertheless, the deficit is partially mitigated by initial public offering and the earning per share is still giving with no hope to public share holder from now.

See also

• List of rapid transit systems
• Bangkok Skytrain
• BRT (Bangkok)
• SRT Lines
• Suvarnabhumi Airport Link

References

External links

Official sites

• Bangkok Metro Company Limited
• Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand
• Bangkok MRT Master Plan - Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning

Unofficial sites

• Bangkok subway history at 2bangkok.com
• Bangkok Mass Transit
• The Modern Rail Based Mass Transit of Thailand (MRT and BTS photos)

Downloads

• Download the System Map of Bangkok Rail Transit Network in PDF format
• Download the Master Plan of Bangkok Transport Network in PDF format (includes proposed extensions)
• Download Unofficial Technical Data

Public transport systems in Bangkok Rapid transit BTS Skytrain · Bangkok Metro (MRT) (   Blue line ·    Purple Line (under construction) ·    Orange line (planned) ·    Yellow line (planned) ·    Brown Line (cancelled) ·    Pink Line (planned) · SRT Red Lines · Suvarnabhumi Airport Link · BERTS (halted) Buses Buses in Bangkok (BMTA · Bangkok BRT) Water buses Bangkok Boat Express Lines ( Chao Phraya Express Boat ·  Khlong Saen Saep Express Boat ·  Sathon-Klong Toei Express Boat ·  Golden Mount Line ·  NIDA Line ·  Bangkok Noi Longtail Express Boat  ·  Sathon-Wat Dao Khanong Express Boat  ·  Sathon-Samut Prakan Express Boat  ·  Khlong Phasi Charoen Express Boat  ·  Khlong Lat Phrao Express Boat  ·  Khlong Prem Prachakhon Express Boat  ·  Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem Express Boat)