Bangkok’s number of train passengers reaches all-time high
Bangkok‘s number of train passengers reached an all-time high on Friday, February 10. The number of people travelling by rail in and around Thailand’s capital city climbed to 1,577,330 that day, according to the Department of Rail Transport.
The department’s numbers revealed that the BTS Green Line served the most passengers, with 916,390 people using the service, followed by the Blue Line MRT with 429,825 passengers. The Airport Rail Link and the standard train service saw 72,737 and 73,659 passengers, respectively. The Red Line and Purple Line served 29,129 and 48,232 passengers, respectively, while the BTS Golden Line had the least number of passengers, with only 6,359 people using the service.
Pichet Kunadhamraks, director-general of the Department of Rail Transport, explained that the high number of passengers was due to the Kaset Fair, held at Kasetsart University. Pichet said the fair contributed to a large increase in passenger numbers, Thai PBS reported. The Kasetsart University and Bang Khen stations saw a significant jump in passenger numbers, with 676,571 and 19,957 passengers between February 3 and 10.
The numbers also revealed that the number of people using rail services in Bangkok is steadily increasing, with 1.47 million passengers using the services on Songkran Day in April 2022 and the BTS Skytrain service recording 1.13 million passengers on December 12, 2019. Pichet believes that commuters are turning to trains as a means of transportation due to their fast and convenient service, as well as to avoid traffic congestion.
Public transportation is continuing to develop in Thailand.
Last month, it was reported that the Pink Line monorail project in Bangkok is expected to be completed this year, with construction currently 95% finished. Construction began in 2016 on the 53.5 billion baht public transit project.
When it is finally opened, it will connect Khae Rai in Nontha Buri to Min Buri in east Bangkok. The
Pink Line monorail Is hoped to bring some breathing room to the constant traffic issues in northern Bangkok.
