Commuters can enjoy free rides on the Purple Line electric train in June and July as part of a trial-run for the new service.
Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said yesterday the 90-day trial, which runs from May until July, involves familiarisation of the system, testing emergency plans and the system's efficiency.
Commuters will ride for free in June and July. The fare, ranging between 14-42 baht, will be charged when the train officially opens for service on Aug 12, Mother's Day. The 23km elevated Purple Line linking Bang Yai in Nonthaburi and Bang Sue in Bangkok has a total of 16 stations along its route. The system is expected to serve about 120,000 passengers per day.
The stations include the terminal station at Khlong Bang Phai, the Bang Yai market station, the Government Office Complex station, the Tiwanon intersection station, the Wong Sawang station and the Tao Pun station on the other end of the line.
Meanwhile, Pol Lt Col Pongsawat Siamsak, deputy traffic police chief at Phahon Yothin police, yesterday said Ital-Thai Development Plc has sought permission to use part of the area at the police station to build a two-lane detour to divert traffic from Ratchadaphisek Road to the Lat Phrao intersection. This is intended to avoid the Ratchayothin intersection where demolition of the Ratchayothin flyover is under way.
The flyover has to be removed to allow the Green Line extension stretching from the Mor Chit area of Bangkok north to Khu Khot sub-district in Pathum Thani. Ital-Thai has been contracted to build the Mor Chit-Saphan Mai section of the Green Line.
Pol Lt Col Pongsawat also said the contractor will also ask to use part of the area belonging to Siam Commercial Bank to make a shortcut for traffic from Phahon Yothin Road turning left to Ratchadaphisek Road.