Green Line route opens Dec 6

The Green Line rail extension between Bearing and Samut Prakan will be operational from Dec 6, with commuters entitled to free rides for four months.

Bangkok governor Aswin Kwanmuang and executives of Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), which operates the line, yesterday surveyed the extension to make sure the system is ready for the service ahead of its opening.

They boarded a train running from Samrong station to Kheha Samut Prakan station and visited a maintenance facility located on 123 rai of land, which also serves as a parking space that can accommodate up to 1,200 vehicles.

The 13km elevated extension, which covers nine stations, is connected with the Sukhumvit Line of the BTS Skytrain, aka the Green Line.

It passes through Khlong Samrong; Theparak, Pu Jao Saming Prai and Samut Prakan City Hall intersections as well as the Erawan Museum and Phraksa and Sailuad junctions.

The project’s construction began in early 2012 and ended last year. One station, Samrong, was opened for service on April 3 last year.

The remaining stations would be operational from Dec 6, the governor said, adding commuters can travel without charge until April 16 next year.

According to him, it should take about 20 minutes to travel from Bearing to Kheha Samut Prakan stations. About 60,000 people are expected to use the service in the first year, he said, adding the number could rise to 100,000 the following year.

Government spokesman Buddhipongse Punnakanta said the cabinet yesterday approved a proposal to transfer the property of Green Line’s two extensions from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). They cover the Bearing-Samut Prakan section and the Mor Chit-Saphan Mai-Kukot section.

He said the transfer of the property ownership would ensure effective management as the BMA is already responsible for supervising the Green Line between Mor Chit and Bearing with BTSC contracted to operate the line.

The transfer would mean the BMA will handle the whole length of the Green Line from Kukot to Samut Prakan, stretching 55.95 kilometres and covering 47 stations.

“The intention is to allow the BMA to be able to manage the Green Line operations through the two extensions in a systematic manner,” said Mr Buddhipongse.

After the ownership transfers, the BMA will shoulder the 51.785 billion baht extension costs, he said, noting the cabinet yesterday also took note of City Hall’s plan to seek loans to pay for the expenses.