Type Rapid transit Status Operational Opened 5 December 1999 Stations 22 | System BTS Skytrain Daily ridership 600,000 (2012) Locale Bangkok | |
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Operator(s) Bangkok Mass Transit System
Public Company Limited Owner Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Terminis Bearing BTS Station, Mo Chit BTS Station | ||
The Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday First line (Sukhumvit) or Sukhumvit line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้าบีทีเอส สายสุขุมวิท) is an elevated metro rail line of the BTS Skytrain in Bangkok, Thailand. From the central Siam Station, where it connects with the Silom line, the line runs both northwards along Phaya Thai and Phahon Yothin Roads to Mo Chit station in Chatuchak District, and eastwards along Rama I, Phloen Chit and Sukhumvit Roads to Bearing station in Bang Na District. 8 January 2013
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When the BTS first opened in December 1999 the line consisted of seventeen stations (from Mo Chit to On Nut), currently there are 22 stations in operation.
The line is represented on the official BTS map in light green.
Stations
A planned station at N6 has never been built.
East
1st extension, in operation - Construction started in August 2006 on a four billion baht, 5.25 km extension from On Nut (E9) to Bearing. The extension was funded by the BMA. The original scheduled opening date was mid-2009. However, a delay in tendering of the contract for the electrical and signals resulted in a two-year delay. Deputy governor Teerachon Manomaiphibul commented: "The senior City Hall official responsible for making the purchase has apparently stalled the scheme over fears of being investigated if something went wrong with the purchase. The official in question is due to retire and does not want to take risks despite being told the scheme is strictly in line with regulations". 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 for this extension until the end of 2011 as compensation. An additional flat fee is charged additionally to the distance-based fare of the rest of the BTS network.
2nd extension, currently under construction - Construction started in April 2012 on a 12.6 km, seven station extension from Bearing station to Samut Prakan station. Two stations (E18 and E22) will be built at a later date. The extension is funded by the MRTA as it is outside BMA city limits, Bangkok Province. Construction is contracted to take 1,350 days and the extension is planned to open in 2017. In April 2013, the MRTA awarded Ch Karnchang the contract for track laying and electrical systems. As of 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. Trackwork was 98% complete by November 2016. The total cost of the extension was estimated at 21.4 billion baht. In January 2017 it was announced that the opening of the extension could be further delayed to 2018-9 due to budgetary concerns, however the first station at Samrong would open in April 2017.
North
1st and 2nd extension, currently under construction
A 11.4 km, 11 station northern extension from Mo Chit station to Saphan Mai in Don Mueang District has 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 has been continually delayed. A further 16.5 km, nine station extension from Saphan Mai to Lam Lukka was also planned once the extension to Saphan Mai had been completed.
After many delays, in mid-2013 it was decided to tender extension (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 with an April deadline before being delayed until late May 2014 due to concerns from bidders. 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 the tender which will proceed before the end of 2014. In mid-August, the MRTA announced that the new tender deadline will be 30 September 2014. Five bidders qualified and successful bids were due to be announced by December 2014. The tender specifies a construction period of 1,350 days.
On 3 April 2015, MRTA signed four contracts for this extension:
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 will need be demolished, which commenced on 12 September 2015.
Future extension plans
East:
North: