Sukhumvit Line Explained

Type:Rapid transit
System:BTS Skytrain
Owner:Bangkok Metropolitan Administration
Operator:Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited
Locale:Bangkok, Samut Prakan, and Pathum Thani
Start: Khu Khot
End: Kheha
Stations:Total : 57 stations
47 (operational)
9 (planned)
1 (provisional)
Daily Ridership:926,294 (and)
30 August 2024[1]
Mapcolor: Light Green
Character:Fully elevated
Depot:Mo Chit Depot (shared with)
Khu Khot Depot (shared with)
Kheha Depot
Stock:Siemens Modular Metro
EMU-A1: 35 four-car trains
Siemens Bozankaya
EMU-A2: 22 four-car trains
CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles
EMU-B1: 12 four-car trains
CNR Changchun Railway Vehicles
EMU-B2: 5 four-car trains
CRRC Changchun Railway Vehicles
EMU-B3: 24 four-car trains
Linelength:Total :69.07km (42.92miles)
51.17km (31.8miles) (operational)
17.9km (11.1miles) (planned)
Speed Km/H:80
Signalling:Former: Siemens Trainguard LZB700M fixed block ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO)
Current: Bombardier CITYFLO 450 moving block CBTC ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO), with subsystems of ATP, ATS and CBI[2] [3]
Map State:collapsed

The Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday 1st line, also known as Sukhumvit Line, is one of the rapid transit lines of the BTS Skytrain System in Bangkok, Thailand.[4] The line runs from Siam Station, where it interchanges with the Silom Line, and continues both northwards along Phaya Thai and Phahon Yothin Roads to Khu Khot in Lam Luk Ka District, Pathum Thani, and eastwards along Rama I, Phloen Chit and Sukhumvit Roads, through Bang Na District to Kheha Station in Samut Prakan.

The line was first opened on 5 December 1999, along with the Silom Line. Both lines are operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a 30-year concession from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. When it opened, the line ran from Mo Chit to On Nut covering a total distance of 16.7km (10.4miles) with 17 stations. Sukhumvit Line is one of the main arteries of the Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System with 900,000 daily passengers per day (combined with the Silom Line). The line rapidly expanded from 2011 until 2021, tripling its distance through three extension projects and reaching a total length of 51.17km (31.8miles) with 47 stations.

History

Original plan

The Sukhumvit Line's initial proposal was for 12.8km (08miles) route running from N4 station to E9 station with the depot located at Lumphini Park near the Silom Line. However, this location for the depot faced backlash from the public opinion, which argued that it violated King Rama VI's intention in donating his land to establish Lumphini Park for the public. Additionally, there were protests demanding that the construction of both Skytrain lines be built underground instead of being fully elevated. Therefore, several alternative locations for the depot were considered, such as a vacant land plot in Soi Rangnam owned by the Crowned Property Bureau or the Phra Khanong pumping station in Sukhumvit 50. Ultimately, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration decided to relocate the depot to the former site of the Northern Bus Terminal (commonly known as the Mo Chit Bus Terminal). With the decision made, the Sukhumvit Line route was extended from N4 station to N8 station. Several changes were made during the construction, as follows:[5]

Extensions

Bearing Extension

Construction started in August 2006 on a four-billion baht, extension from On Nut to Bearing which included 5 new stations[6] The extension was funded by the BMA.[7] The original scheduled opening date was mid-2009. However, a delay in tendering the contract for the electrical and signaling works resulted in a two-year delay.

The extension did not open until over two years later, on 12 August 2011. The delay in opening prompted the BMA to offer free travel on this extension until the end of 2011 as compensation.

Samut Prakan Extension

Construction started in April 2012 on a, nine station extension from Bearing station to Kheha station. The extension was funded by the MRTA as it is outside BMA city limits, Bangkok Province. Construction was contracted to take 1,350 days and the extension was originally scheduled to open by early 2017. In April 2013, the MRTA awarded Ch Karnchang the contract for track laying and electrical systems.[8]

In June 2014, civil works were stated to be 28.3 percent complete. In August 2016, the BMA agreed to take over the operation of the extension from MRTA. Delays over the agreement of how much the BMA should pay MRTA caused a delay in the commencement of test runs on the extension. Track works were 98% completed by November 2016. The total cost of the extension was estimated at 21.4 billion baht.[9] In January 2017, it was announced that the opening of the extension could be further delayed to 2018-2019 due to budgetary concerns and ongoing disputes between the MRTA and BMA.[10]

The first section of the extension to Samrong station opened on 3 April 2017.[11] The full extension to Kheha opened on 6 December 2018.[12]

Khu Khot Extension

An 11.4 km, 11 station northern extension from Mo Chit station to Saphan Mai in Don Mueang District had been planned since the Sukhumvit Line opened. Originally, this extension was scheduled to be completed by 2008. However, due to a combination of changes in government, a prolonged environmental study, and problems with locating a suitable train depot the extension was continually delayed. A further, nine station extension from Saphan Mai to Khu Khot was also planned once the extension to Saphan Mai had been completed.

After multiple delays, in mid-2013 a decision was made to tender extensions (1) and (2) at the same time, by the end of 2013. However, the dissolution of parliament in November 2013 delayed this yet again. A tender was finally released in January 2014[13] with an April deadline before being delayed until late May 2014 due to concerns from bidders.[14] A military coup in late-May 2014 suspended the bidding process whilst the military administration reviewed all major projects. In late June, the military administration affirmed that the tender would proceed before the end of 2014. In August 2014, the MRTA announced that the new tender deadline was 30 September 2014.[15] Five bidders qualified and the successful bids were announced in December 2014.[16] The tender specified a construction period of 1,350 days.

On 3 April 2015, MRTA signed four contracts for this extension:[17]

ContractNotesContractorsLengthCosts
1Mo Chit to Saphan MaiItalian-Thai Development2.8km (01.7miles)฿15,269 million
2Saphan Mai to Khu KhotUN-SH-CH joint-venture2.6km (01.6miles)฿6,657 million
3Khu Khot Depot and Park & Ride buildings at Yaek Kor Por Aor and Khu Khot stationsSTEC-AS joint-venture11km (07miles)฿4,019 million
4Track laying and system designSTEC-AS joint-venture10.5km (06.5miles)฿2,841 million
The MRTA, contactors and Thai Traffic Police met on 2 September 2015 and confirmed construction would begin on 8 September 2015. A flyover at Kasetsart was demolished, which commenced on 12 September 2015.[18]

At 31 December 2017, the progress of civil works construction was at 53.31% according to the MRTA.[19] the MRTA stated that civil works progress had advanced to 63.27%. overall construction had progressed to 78.79%.[20] By the end of March 2019, civil construction had nearly been completed having progressed to 99.42%.[21]

Testing of the final 9.8 km, seven-station-section from Wat Phra Sri Mahathat (N17) to Khu Khot (N24) began on 5 October.[22] The final section was officially opened on 16 December 2020 by the Prime Minister.[23]

Tamru Extension (future)

There is a plan to extend Sukhumvit Line from Kheha to Tamru for 10.1km (06.3miles), including 5 additional stations: Sawangkhaniwat, Mueang Boran, Si Chan Pradit, Bang Pu, and Tamru. This extension has been suspended indefinitely until clarity is reached regarding passenger guarantees.

CodeStation NamePlanned OpeningPlatform Type
EnglishThai
↓ Continue from Kheha
SawangkhaniwatสวางคนิวาสTBASide
Mueang BoranเมืองโบราณSide
Si Chan Praditศรีจันทร์ประดิษฐ์Side
Bang PuบางปูSide
TamruตำหรุSide

Lam Luk Ka Extension (future)

There is a plan to extend Sukhumvit Line from Khu Khot Station eastwards for 7.8km (04.8miles), including four additional stations: Khlong Sam, Khlong Si, Khlong Ha, and Eastern Ring Road-Lam Luk Ka. This extension has been suspended indefinitely until clarity is reached regarding passenger guarantees.

CodeStation NamePlanned OpeningPlatform Type
EnglishThai
↓ Continue from Khu Khot
Khlong SamคลองสามTBASide
Khlong Siคลองสี่Side
Khlong Haคลองห้าSide
Eastern Ring Road-Lam Luk KaวงแหวนตะวันออกลำลูกกาSide

Opening timeline

DateProjectNotes
5 December 1999Bangkok Transit SystemFull commercial service was commenced from Mo Chit to On Nut stations along with the Silom Line.
12 August 2011Bearing ExtensionService extended to Bearing station.
14 May 2010Sukhumvit Line was closed from 17.00 onwards due to 2010 Thai military crackdown.
29 May 2010Resumed normal service.
22 May 2014Sukhumvit Line operated with limited hours from 6:00 to 21:00 due to the curfew, which was a result of the 2014 Thai coup d'état.[24]
28 May 2014Service hours were extended to 06.00-23.00[25]
14 June 2014Resumed normal service.
3 April 2017Samut Prakan ExtensionService extended to Samrong station.
6 December 2018Shuttle service has been deployed from Samrong to Kheha stations.
11 May 2019Full commercial service was commenced from Mo Chit to Kheha stations.[26]
9 August 2019Khu Khot ExtensionService extended to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao station.
4 December 2019Service extended to Kasetsart University station.
5 June 2020Service extended to Wat Phra Si Mahathat station.
17 October 2020Sukhumvit Line was temporarily closed from 15.00 due to the 2020–2021 Thai protests.[27]
18 October 2020Mo Chit, Ha Yaek Lat Phrao, Phahon Yothin 24, Asok, Udom Suk, and Bang Na stations were temporarily closed due to the protests from 14.30[28]
16 December 2020Khu Khot ExtensionService extended to Khu Khot station.

Stations

See also: List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok.

CodeStation NameImageOpenedPlatformTypePark & RideTransfersNotes
EnglishThai
Khu KhotคูคตSide
Yaek Kor Por Aorแยก คปอ.Side
Royal Thai Air Force Museumพิพิธภัณฑ์กองทัพอากาศSide-
Bhumibol Adulyadej HospitalโรงพยาบาลภูมิพลอดุลยเดชSide-
Saphan Maiสะพานใหม่Side-
Sai YudสายหยุดSide-
Phahon Yothin 59พหลโยธิน 59Side-
Wat Phra Sri MahathatวัดพระศรีมหาธาตุIsland-Interchange station with
11th Infantry Regimentกรมทหารราบที่ 11Side-
Bang BuaบางบัวSide-
Royal Forest Departmentกรมป่าไม้Side-
Kasetsart Universityมหาวิทยาลัยเกษตรศาสตร์Side-Connecting station to (future)
Sena NikhomเสนานิคมSide-
RatchayothinรัชโยธินSide-
Phahon Yothin 24พหลโยธิน 24Side-
Ha Yaek Lat Phraoห้าแยกลาดพร้าวIsland-Connecting station to Phahon Yothin for, via a 330-metre elevated pedestrian walkway.
Mo ChitหมอชิตSideConnecting station to Chatuchak Park for
Saphan KhwaiสะพานควายSide-
Sena Ruamเสนาร่วม[29] TBASide-Provisional station
Ariอารีย์Side-
Sanam Paoสนามเป้าSide-
Victory Monumentอนุสาวรีย์ชัยสมรภูมิSide-
Phaya ThaiพญาไทSide-Connecting station to;

(future)
RatchathewiราชเทวีSide-Connecting station to (under construction)
SiamสยามStacked Island-Cross-platform interchange with
Chit LomชิดลมSide-
Phloen ChitเพลินจิตSide-
NanaนานาSide-
AsokอโศกSide-Connecting station to Sukhumvit for
Phrom Phongพร้อมพงษ์Side-
Thong Loทองหล่อSide-
EkkamaiเอกมัยSide-Connecting station to (north section; future)
Phra KhanongพระโขนงSide-Connecting station to (south section; future)
On Nutอ่อนนุชSide-
Bang ChakบางจากSide-
PunnawithiปุณณวิถีSide-
Udom SukอุดมสุขSide-
Bang NaบางนาSide-Connecting station to Bang Na-Suvarnabhumi LRT (future)
Bearingแบริ่งSide-
SamrongสำโรงIsland-Interchange station to via transfer gates
Pu Chaoปู่เจ้าSide-
Chang Erawanช้างเอราวัณSide-
Royal Thai Naval AcademyโรงเรียนนายเรือSide-
Pak Namปากน้ำSide-
Srinagarindraศรีนครินทร์Side-
Phraek SaแพรกษาSide-
Sai LuatสายลวดSide-
KhehaเคหะฯSide

Operation

The Sukhumvit Line operates from 06:00 to 24:00 every day. During rush hour, there are two main service patterns:

Apart from these two service patterns, some trains might terminate at Kasetsart University and Ha Yaek Lat Phrao or operate as through-running trains to/from Bang Wa station on the Silom Line.

Headways

Sukhumvit Line headway[30]
TimeSectionHeadway (Minutes:Seconds)
Monday - Friday
06:00 - 07:00Full Line05:00
07:00 - 09:00 Mo Chit - Samrong02:40
Full Line05:20
09:00 - 09:3003:35
09:30 - 16:0006:30
16:00 - 16:3004:25
16:30 - 20:00 Mo Chit - Samrong02:40
Full Line05:20
20:00 - 21:0004:25
21:00 - 22:0006:00
22:00 - 24:0008:00
Saturday to Sunday and Public Holiday
06:00 - 08:00Full Line07:00
08:00 - 11:0005:55
11:00 - 21:00 Mo Chit - Samrong04:30
Full Line06:00
21:00 - 22:0007:00
22:00 - 24:0008:00

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-08-31 . "กรมการขนส่งทางราง" เผยวันศุกร์สิ้นเดือนสิงหาคม 67 มีผู้ใช้บริการรถไฟฟ้าสายฉลองรัชธรรม (สีม่วง) และรถไฟฟ้าสายสีแดง สูงสุดตั้งแต่เปิดให้บริการมา หลังมีนโยบายอัตราค่าโดยสารรถไฟฟ้าสูงสุด 20 บาทตลอดสาย . 2024-09-04 . กรมการขนส่งทางราง กระทรวงคมนาคม . th.
  2. Web site: Mass transit signalling. 2020-06-16. Bombardier Transportation. en. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20220101063113/https://rail.bombardier.com/en/solutions-and-technologies/signalling-and-infrastructure/mass-transit-signalling.html. 2022-01-01.
  3. Web site: Bombardier Projects in Mass-transit signalling. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20211123062807/https://rail.bombardier.com/content/dam/transportation/products/mass-transit-signalling/BT_PDF_Mass-transit%20signalling.pdf. 2021-11-23.
  4. Web site: รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส (BTS Skytrain) .
  5. Web site: Smart EIA Plus : รายละเอียดรายงาน . 2024-09-26 . eia.onep.go.th.
  6. Groundbreaking starts on new BTS extension, Daily News, 15 August 2006
  7. BTS extension budget cut, Bangkok Post, 15 December 2006
  8. "Ch Karnchang gets Phase 2 of Bearing-Samut Prakan route" The Nation, 13 April 2013
  9. News: BMA to postpone test run of Bearing-Samrong skytrain . 2016-11-22 . Bangkok Post.
  10. News: Sasiwan Mokkhasen . 2017-01-31 . Green Line Going Nowhere for at Least Two Years . 2017-02-25 . Khaosod English . en-US.
  11. News: Asaree Thaitrakulpanich . 2017-02-24 . First Station of Stalled BTS Green Line to Open April 1 . 2017-02-25 . Khaosod English . en-US.
  12. News: 1 December 2017 . MRTA pushes to fast-track launch of South Green Line . Bangkok Post.
  13. Web site: Invitation to tender the MRT green line (north) project . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714185847/http://www.mrta.co.th/sysRegister/register131217/proc17122556.pdf . 2014-07-14.
  14. Web site: รฟม.ปรับทีโออาร์หมอชิต-คูคต กลางปี59 เปิดให้บริการสายสีม่วง . Prachachat News . 26 May 2014.
  15. News: ข่าวรอบวัน . ประชาชาติธุรกิจ.
  16. Web site: 5กลุ่มบริษัทผ่านคุณสมบัติสร้างรถไฟสีเขียว คาดหาผู้รับเหมาได้ไม่เกินต้นปี58 : มติชนออนไลน์ . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304031709/http://www.matichon.co.th/news_detail.php?newsid=1412581507 . 2016-03-04 . 2014-10-08.
  17. Web site: รฟม.เซ็นสัญญารถไฟฟ้าสายสีเขียวเหนือ เริ่มสร้างมิ.ย 58 คาดเปิดใช้ต้นปี .
  18. Web site: ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ รวดเร็ว สด ทุกเหตุการณ์ .
  19. Web site: ความก้าวหน้าการก่อสร้างรถไฟฟ้า ณ 31 ธันวาคม 2560 . MRTA Press . 16 January 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210828112816/https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news/information/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A3-%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%9F-%E0%B8%B2-%E0%B8%93-31-%E0%B8%98-%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A1-2560/ . 2021-08-28 . th . Progress of electric train construction as of 31 December 2017.
  20. Web site: การรถไฟฟ้าขนส่งมวลชนแห่งประเทศไทย on Facebook . limited . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1409174012632662/2109998672550189 . 2022-04-30 . Facebook. MRTA Press
  21. Web site: ความก้าวหน้าการก่อสร้างรถไฟฟ้า ณ 30 เมษายน 2561 . th . Progress of electric train construction as of 30 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191208132503/https://www.mrta.co.th/th/news/information/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A7%E0%B8%AB%E0%B8%99-%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%81-%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%AA%E0%B8%A3-%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%87%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B8%9F-%E0%B8%B2-%E0%B8%93-30-%E0%B9%80%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%A9%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%99-2561/ . MRTA Press. 2019-12-08 . 30 April 2018.
  22. News: 7 October 2020 . BTS tests Green Line trains at seven new stations before public opening at year-end . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130819141428/http://https/ . 19 August 2013 . 17 February 2022 . The Nation.
  23. News: 17 November 2020 . นับถอยหลัง 4 ธ.ค. 63 รถไฟฟ้า BTS สายสีเขียว เปิดทุกสถานี เชื่อม 3 จังหวัด . TNN Thailand.
  24. Web site: รถไฟฟ้า BTS-MRT ปิดให้บริการ 3 ทุ่มตั้งแต่คืนนี้ เปิด 6 . 2024-09-12 . ryt9.com . th.
  25. Web site: รถไฟฟ้า BTS-MRT ปรับเวลาเดินรถใหม่ 06.00-23.00 น. ตั้งแต่ 28 . 2024-09-12 . ryt9.com . th.
  26. Web site: บีทีเอสปรับเดินรถสายสุขุมวิท วิ่งถึงสถานีเคหะฯ ไม่ต้องเปลี่ยนขบวน . 2024-09-27 . THAIRATH Money.
  27. Web site: ความเคลื่อนไหวก่อนชุมนุม 17 ตุลา . 2024-09-12 . Thai PBS . th.
  28. Web site: 2020-10-18 . รถไฟฟ้าMRT ปิด 5 สถานี ส่วน BTS ปิด10 สถานี จนกว่าสถานการณ์คลี่คลาย . 2024-09-12 . www.thairath.co.th . th.
  29. News: Construction of Sathorn BTS 'Ghost Station' Underway. Charuvastra. Teeranai. 2019-04-10. Khaosod English. en-US. 2020-03-25.
  30. Web site: เวลาและความถี่การเดินรถ . 2024-11-16 . www.bts.co.th.