Bangkok train ridership surges 60% amid free transport initiative
Train ridership across Greater Bangkok experienced a significant 60% rise on January 26, marking the second day of the government’s week-long initiative of free public transport aimed at combating air pollution, as reported by the Department of Rail Transport (DRT) today, January 28.
DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak noted that the city’s electric train network saw a 60.90% increase in ridership on January 26, reaching 1,549,622 trips compared to the average of the three previous Sundays in January. This figure surpassed the 45.29% growth recorded on January 25, the first day of the free transport initiative.
From January 25 to January 31, residents can use the city’s public buses and electric trains for free, as part of government efforts to tackle the high levels of particulate matter 2.5 micrometres and smaller (PM2.5) polluting Bangkok’s air.
Pichet provided a detailed breakdown of the ridership changes by rail line on January 26:
– Airport Rail Link saw a 34.36% increase to 69,199 trips compared to the average of the past three Sundays.
– The Red Line experienced a 72.44% surge to 43,083 trips.
– Blue Line ridership grew by 48.38% to 417,740 trips.
– Purple Line expanded by 46.76% to 55,164 trips.
– BTS Green Line (Sukhumvit and Silom routes) saw a 62.46% increase to 805,591 trips.
– Gold Line ridership rose 153.07% to 16,470 trips.
– Yellow Line swelled by 114.47% to 64,662 trips.
– Pink Line recorded a 122.36% increase to 77,713 trips.
Pichet mentioned that the DRT has asked MRT and BTS operators to monitor ridership during peak hours and adjust the frequency of train services as needed.
Yesterday morning, January 27, during rush hours, local media reported that staff at busy BTS Skytrain stations like Siam, Mo Chit, and Asoke distributed free train tickets to commuters due to the high demand exceeding the capacity of ticket machines and booths. Many commuters wore face masks to protect against ultrafine dust, and traffic under Mo Chit and Siam stations was less congested than typically seen on Monday mornings.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the government would evaluate all relevant data after the campaign before deciding whether to extend the free public transport scheme. Some critics questioned the campaign’s effectiveness, which cost 140 million baht (US$4 million), in reducing the number of cars on Bangkok’s roads. However, Suriya maintained that the initiative could help decrease road traffic, reported Bangkok Post.
He suggested that anyone interested in verifying the impact could consult the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, which has CCTV cameras throughout Bangkok to monitor changes in car numbers.
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