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Bus rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Bangkok BRT is a bus rapid transit system in Bangkok, Thailand. Out of the five routes that were originally planned, only one line has been in operation since 2010, with all the other routes cancelled. At the end of April 2017, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced the whole system might be cancelled due to low ridership and financial losses, however a subsequent opinion survey carried out by the BMA found there was a demand for the service to be retained.[1][2] In March 2017 the Governor of Bangkok announced the service would continue, with increased ticket prices[3] and changed operator to Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited.
Bangkok BRT | |
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![]() BRT | |
![]() A Sunlong SLK6125CNG at the Ratchaphruek terminus in February 2024 | |
Overview | |
Native name | รถโดยสารประจำทางด่วนพิเศษ สายสาทร-ราชพฤกษ์ |
Owner | Bangkok Metropolitan Administration |
Locale | Bangkok |
Transit type | Bus rapid transit |
Number of stations | 14 stations |
Daily ridership | 25,000 |
Operation | |
Began operation | 23 May 2010 |
Operator(s) | Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited |
Character | Fully at-grade |
Number of vehicles | Current CRRC EV Bus: 23 cars Former Sunlong SLK6215CNG: 25 cars |
Headway | 5-7 mins (peak-hour) 10 mins (off peak-hour, weekends, and public holiday) |
Technical | |
System length | 16.5 km (10.3 mi) |
Average speed | 30 km/h |
Top speed | 60 km/h |
The 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) route has twelve stations in the centre of the road that give at grade access to the right hand side of the buses. Both termini connect to the Silom Line of the BTS Skytrain; at Chong Nonsi (S3) and Talat Phlu (S10). The entire fleet currently consists of Sunlong SLK6125CNG buses, which are expected to be replaced by a fleet of EV buses in September 2024. The fare is currently on hold (free for 3 months till 30 November 2023) for reconsideration of the effectiveness of the project.[4]
The system is set for upgrades in 2024, including the addition of 23 electric buses and an extension of the route by 2 km with two additional stations to connect with the MRT Blue Line. These changes aim to boost ridership to 13,000 passengers per day. The fare will be capped at 15 baht. [5]
It is owned by Krungthep Thanakom PCL, the holdings enterprise of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), and operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTSC), the operator of the BTS Skytrain.
Plans for a bus rapid transit system in Bangkok were made in 2004 by the BMA and the Ministry of Transport's Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. In 2005, the BMA settled on a master plan consisting of fourteen BRT routes. Construction on the first route, Sathon–Ratchaphruek, began in 2007. The route opened for trial runs on 29 May 2010, and officially opened on 14 February 2011.[6][7]
The system's island platforms are accessed by elevated enclosed station facilities, and it shares the ticketing system of the BTS Skytrain. The buses run on dedicated bus lanes blocked to the main traffic, which is why the system has been criticised by motorists as losing one lane to the BRT has worsened the traffic in the area.[8]
Originally, five BRT routes were planned to be open by 2013. The additional four routes were: Mo Chit – Government Complex – Nonthaburi, Sathorn – Suk Sawat, Don Mueang – Min Buri–Suvarnabhumi, and Min Buri – Srinagarindra – Samrong. However, it was announced in September 2010 that The Mo Chit – Government Complex route was cancelled, and the other planned routes were expected to be abandoned as well.[9]
The first route from Sathorn to Ratchaphruek via Naradhiwas Ratchanagarindra and Rama III roads, opened to the public on 29 May 2010. This was later than 12 August 2008 as originally planned. The service ran as a free trial until the end of August 2010, followed by a flat fare of THB10 from September 2010. That flat fare was decreased to THB5 in January 2011, and later increase to THB15 in May 2017. On 31 August, BMA announced that The fare will be free for 3 months till 30 November 2023 for reconsideration of the effectiveness of the project.[10][11][12]
Part of the route is physically separated from the remaining carriageway by way of surface-mounted dividers, while other parts of the route are high-occupancy vehicle lanes with a minimum occupancy level of three occupants (T3). At some intersections, the bus shares space with other vehicles, disrupting an efficient exploitation. The vehicles have a guide system, which is only used at the stations to ensure a minimum gap between the station and the bus. The stations are all located in the centre of the road, which means that the BRT lanes are located against the road median, and the doors are on the right hand side of the buses (Thailand drives on the left). Access from the stations to the vehicles is leveled. Wheelchair accessibility was improved following the introduction of stair lifts.
Buses operate between 06:00-24:00 at 7-10 minute intervals during off-peak hours and weekends and 5 minute intervals at peak hours. An additional service between Sathorn and Nararam III is in operation during peak hours.
On 2 February 2024, BTSC won the BMA's bid to operate and develop the BRT system. The existing route is expected to extend from Sathorn to Lumphini MRT station in July 2024, with an additional service to CentralPlaza Rama III shopping mall. BTSC was assigned to find electric buses with doors to accommodate both the current high-level platforms and for street-level. Two new infill stations are also planned to be built: Yaek Chan - Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra (between B3-B4) and Yaek Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra - Ratchadaphisek (between B4-B5).[13]
On 1 September 2024, The new CRRC EV Bus replaced the old Sunlong SLK6215CNG and began operating on the line with two additional stations which are Thanon Chan Neau and Thanon Chan Tai[14]. However, daily commuters of the line criticised this new kind of operation as problematic since the new bus is low-floor while the platforms at the existing stations were built to accommodate only high-floor bus, This means passengers have to use an emergency staircases at the end of the platform to board the bus. Another problem is that only 16 out of 23 buses operate on the line during rush hour, resulting in a 12-minute interval instead of 7-minute interval. This causes major overcrowding at various stations. The Traffic and Transportation Department stated that the overcrowding problem is due by the delayed installation of a bus charging station at Sathorn, meaning that all buses have to use the only existing charging station at Ratchaphruek. The issue with the boarding process will be resolved by extending the platforms to accommodate the new low-floor buses.[15]
Code | Station Name | Opened | Transfer | Notes | |
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English | Thai | ||||
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Sathorn | สาทร | 29 May 2010 | Connecting station to Chong Nonsi for BTS | Exit to: • Chong Nonsi Skywalk • Chong Nonsi Canal Park • King Power Mahanakhon • Empire Tower • Sathorn Square • Bangkok City Tower • Rajanakarn Building • Sathorn Nakhon Tower |
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Akhan Songkhro | อาคารสงเคราะห์ | Exit to: • JC Kevin Sathorn Bangkok Hotel | ||
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Technic Krungthep | เทคนิคกรุงเทพ | Exit to: • Rajamangala University of Technology Krungthep • Makro Sathorn • The Federation of Thai Industries | ||
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Thanon Chan Neau | ถนนจันทน์เหนือ | 1 September 2024 | Additional station
Temporarily bus shelter | |
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Thanon Chan | ถนนจันทน์ | 29 May 2010 | Exit to: • Gallery VER • Taweewattana School • Saint Joseph Yannawa School | |
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Thanon Chan Tai | ถนนจันทน์ใต้ | 1 September 2024 | Additional station
Temporarily bus shelter | |
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Nararam 3 | นราราม 3 | 29 May 2010 | ||
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Wat Dan | วัดด่าน | Exit to: • S.V. City Tower • INT-Intersect • Wat Dan • Wat Dan School | ||
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Wat Pariwat | วัดปริวาส | Exit to: • Wat Pariwat • Wat Pariwat School | ||
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Wat Dokmai | วัดดอกไม้ | Exit to: • Wat Dokmai • Wat Dokmai School | ||
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Rama IX Bridge | สะพานพระรามเก้า | Exit to: • Wat Sai Rama 3 • Wat Bang Khlo Nok • Homepro Rama 3 • Public Park in Commemoration of H.M. the King's 6th Cycle Birthday | ||
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Charoenrat | เจริญราษฎร์ | Exit to: • Tree on 3 • Terminal 21 Rama 3 | ||
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Rama III Bridge | สะพานพระรามสาม | Exit to: • Bang Kho Laem District Office • Wat Inbanjong | ||
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Ratchapruek | ราชพฤกษ์ | Connecting station to Talat Phlu for BTS | Exit to: • The Mall Tha Phra • Tha Phra Open Air Market • Thonburi Plaza |
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