BMTA set to launch new airport bus link

A new bus shuttle service from Suvarnabhumi airport to the city will be launched tomorrow, deputy permanent secretary for transport Somsak Hommuang says.

Mr Somsak, who is also acting director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), which will operate the new bus service said the S1 route will run from 6am to 8pm.

It will run from Suvarnabhumi airport to Sanam Luang via Yommarat and Khao San Road, he added.

At the initial stage, services each way will be every half hour.

Mr Somsak said passengers wanting to use the service should wait for the bus on the 1st floor of the passenger terminal at Gate 7.

There is a growing number of local and foreign tourists using Suvarnabhumi airport, he said.

In response to this, the BMTA decided to operate a new bus service to link Suvarnabhumi airport to the city centre for the sake of passenger convenience.

“The service will be an alternative way of travelling from the airport to the heart of the city,” Mr Somsak said yesterday.

The bus will proceed along the Bangkok-Chon Buri New Line motorway onto Sirat Expressway and then onto Lan Luang Road, before turning into Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue at Phan Fa Lilat intersection.

The bus will then turn into Tanao Road at Kok Wua intersection, then pass along Sip Sam Hang Road and Phra Sumen Road before turning onto Chakkrabongse Road at Bang Lamphu intersection and head to Khao San and Chao Fa roads.

The bus will later pass underneath Somdet Phra Pinklao Bridge and then onto Rachini Road, passing Sanam Luang before terminating near the Veteran Monument in Phra Nakhon district.

The BMTA has already launched its A3 service running from Don Mueang airport to Lumpini Park and the A4 from Don Mueang airport to Sanan Laung.

Don Mueang airport is dedicated mostly to low-cost airlines and charter flights but is popular with passengers.

The services have received a positive response from passengers and generated around 225,000 baht during their first five days of operating.

Both routes have served a total of 4,506 passengers during the five days, according to the BMTA.

Of these passengers, 2,350 took the A3 route, generating revenue of 117,220 baht, or 23,444 baht a day, while 2,156 used the A4 route, pulling in revenue of 107,800 baht, or 21,560 baht a day, the BMTA said as it gave details of the service.