MRTA Confirms Plan for "Southern Purple Line" to Open in 2029, Accelerating Study of 20 Baht Flat Fare PPP, Expected September 2026 to Begin System Production
February 1, 2025 7:38 AM
MRTA Reveals Timeline for Southern Purple Line, Ready to Open in 2029, Explaining Current Study of PPP with 20 Baht Fare, Starting Procurement and Production, and Installation of Electrical Systems in September 2026, Entering Completed Civil Works Areas, Taking Approximately 3 Years for System Installation
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) disclosed the progress of the Southern Purple Line project, from Tao Poon to Rat Burana (Kanchanaphisek Ring Road), stating that they are currently revising the project analysis study report in accordance with the Public-Private Partnership Act B.E. 2562 (PPP), which includes an analysis of the 20 baht flat fare for the entire line, in line with government policy, before proposing the principles of the project that are beneficial and provide the greatest convenience to the public, for the MRTA board to consider proposing to relevant agencies and the cabinet for further proceedings between May and October 2025.
According to the operational plan of the Southern Purple Line project, MRTA will complete the selection of private companies, and the private sector will begin the process of procuring, producing, and installing the electrical systems by September 2026, allowing them to enter the areas where civil works have been completed. The process is estimated to take approximately 3 years. The MRTA would like to inform that the MRTA has been overseeing and expediting the operation of the Southern Purple Line project to enable it to open for service as a single network with the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Chalong Ratchatham Line (MRT Purple Line) by September 2029.
As for the Southern Purple Line project, the route connects with the MRT Purple Line at Tao Poon Station and ends at Kru Nai Station, covering a total distance of approximately 23.63 kilometers, with 17 stations, divided into 10 underground stations and 7 elevated stations.
MRTA began construction of the civil works on April 25, 2022, with a total construction period of 2,005 days, or expected to be completed by October 2027. However, due to the COVID-19 situation that occurred between 2020 and 2022, MRTA has revised the project implementation plan in 2023 to align with the civil works contract, with a scheduled opening in 2028.
Subsequently, in 2024, MRTA found it necessary to revise the PPP report before proceeding with the process, resulting in adjustments to the implementation plan, with a scheduled opening in 2029. When the project is completed, it will support the travel of people from the northern part of Bangkok to the southern part of Bangkok, and facilitate travel to Samut Prakan Province.
Accelerating the Installation of Crossbeams at Bang Pakok Station and Parking Building for the Purple Line South Extension (Feb 2025)
Bang Pakok Station is an elevated station located near Soi Suk Sawat 23 and Soi Suk Sawat 25. It is one of the stations on the Purple Line Extension Project, Tao Poon - Rat Burana, East Ring Road. Currently, it is in the process of accelerating the installation of cross beams and constructing a park and ride building on the inbound side of Suk Sawat Road.
Bang Pakok Station has 2 entrances and exits:
* Entrance/Exit 1: Located on the side of Soi Suk Sawat 23, on the outbound side of Suk Sawat Road. It has regular stairs, escalators, and elevators.
* Entrance/Exit 2: Located at Soi Suk Sawat 32, on the inbound side of Suk Sawat Road. It has regular stairs, escalators, and elevators.
Both entrances and exits will be directly connected to the park and ride building of Bang Pakok Station, which can accommodate up to 1657 cars. The construction contract is managed by Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited, under Contract 5, Dao Khanong - Kru Nai section.
As of the end of December 2024, the overall progress of the civil works project is 47.95%. The service is expected to open around 2028-2029.
Update on the construction of the southern extension of the MRT Purple Line (as of February 2025):
**Installation of elevated section over Phumiphon Bridge:**
* Installation of the elevated railway section across the approach of Phumiphon Bridge on Suksawat Road began on July 3, 2024.
* The contractor has recently completed the installation of the elevated section across the Phumiphon Bridge approach.
* The installation method used is Balance Cantilever, suitable for long spans between pillars (over 35 meters), such as when crossing canals, bridges, or expressways.
* The construction involves adding elevated sections on both sides, with tensioned wires to counteract the weight of the overhanging sections. In the final stage, central wires are tensioned to support the weight of the continuous structure.
**Contractor and progress:**
* The contractor for the elevated tracks, stations, parking buildings, and park-and-ride facilities is Italian-Thai Development Public Company Limited.
* This is contract 5, covering the Dao Khanong - Kru Nai section of the Tao Poon - Rat Burana (Kanchanapisek Ring Road) section of the Purple Line extension.
* As of the end of January 2025, the overall civil works progress is 49.51%.
**Original timeline and adjustments:**
* The original plan was to complete civil works in 2027 and open the line in 2028.
* However, during 2024, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) needed to revise the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) report before submitting it for approval, leading to a revised timeline.
* The current estimated opening date is 2029.
Here's an update on the progress of the three electric train lines:
Pink Line Extension (Sri Rat - Muang Thong Thani):
Overall progress: 85.79%
Civil works: 87.88%
Electrical systems: 82.22%
Remaining tasks: Interior architectural design, systems management, and traffic restoration.
Expected trial run: May 2025.
Expected full operation: July 2025.
Purple Line (South) (Tao Poon - Rat Burana):
Civil works: 49.51%
Expected completion: End of 2027.
Expected operation: September 2029 (delayed from December 2027).
Current focus: Revising the project analysis report under the Public-Private Partnership Act B.E. 2562, and analyzing the 20 baht flat fare. Expected to be presented to the board of directors of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), the Ministry of Transport, and the Cabinet for consideration between May and October 2025, before selecting a private company. The private company is expected to start sourcing, producing, and installing the electrical systems by September 2026.
Orange Line (West) (Bang Khun Non - Thailand Cultural Center):
Overall progress: 4.82%
Civil works: 5.07%
Electrical systems: 2.53%
The contractor has started working on the electrical systems.
The eastern section (Thailand Cultural Center - Min Buri), which has already completed civil works, has achieved 3.45% progress. The MRTA plans to expedite the opening of the eastern section (22.5 km) by the end of 2027. The western section is expected to be completed and operational along the entire route (Bang Khun Non - Min Buri, 35.9 km) in 2030.
Source: Daily News Newspaper, February 12, 2025 (Afternoon Edition).
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