The Bang Sue-Tha Phra extension of the MRT mass transit line will open for a public trial run next month, completing the Blue Line’s planned loop around the centre of Bangkok.
The new 13km stretch, which charges up to 42 baht, links the Hua Lamphong-Lak Song extension, which opened in late September. It has seven stations.
From mid-2011, construction began to extend the Blue Line with an extension west from Hua Lamphong via Tha Phra to Lak Song, and in the north from Bang Sue to Tha Phra. (see map below)
However, it has yet to be decided whether the fares on the new extension will be waived during the trial run like when the 14km Hua Lamphong-Lak Song extension opened.
With the loop completed, MRT’s ridership will double to 800,000 a day.
Thirty-five new trains would be delivered in February and March next year. However, more cars would have to be added to 4-6 per train from three currently. This is unlikely to happen anytime soon because more doors would have to be added at all platforms, the MRT operator said.
