BTS to invest in Yellow Line’s missing link to MRT’s Green Line

The Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) expressed its readiness to invest in a 2.6-kilometre extension that would connect its Yellow Line monorail to the Green Line of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) at Ratchayothin and Lat Phrao stations. Surapong Laoha-Unya, CEO of BTS, stated that the extension would be advantageous for commuters and that the company is prepared to discuss the matter with the MRTA.

Spanning 30.4 kilometres, the Yellow Line connects Lat Phrao in Bangkok with Samrong in Samut Prakan and features 23 stations. The monorail has an existing connection to the MRT’s Green Line at Samrong station. The proposed extension would run along Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok, linking to the Green Line at Ratchayothin station, reported Bangkok Post.

An anonymous source revealed that the extension project is estimated to cost between 3-4 billion baht. Without the proposed link, commuters wanting to switch from the Yellow Line to the Green Line would need to reroute their journey through the MRT’s Blue Line, resulting in increased travel expenses. If the MRT accepts BTS’s proposal to invest in the extension, the source stated that the MRT would likely request compensation for lost revenues from its Blue Line.

Surapong announced that the Yellow Line would begin a trial service at 9am on Saturday before fully launching at the start of next month. The BTS has submitted a fare range based on the consumer price index (CPI) to the MRT for approval, with rates between 15-45 baht. Following this, the MRT will present the proposal to the Ministry of Transport and the cabinet for further approval. Surapong said…

“The BTS is ready for the trial run as the safety and facilitation of the project is now provided. The project will help mitigate traffic congestion, particularly during rush hours, on Lat Phrao Road.”

The BTS anticipates earning an income of approximately 1 billion baht from the launch of the Yellow Line.