Best shelve those fantasies test-riding the Purple Line with dad on Father’s Day, as the northwestern extension to the light rail system has again been delayed another six months.
Testing of the new line will instead commence in May with service beginning in August, according to a state media report written as if this was always the case.
“The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand has made known that the construction of the MRT Purple Line is complete, with a public test run of the new line scheduled in May of next year,” it reads.
It adds that while construction is complete, the Japanese-made cars won’t arrive until the end of this year, which might be a wink as to the cause of the unstated delay. In May, transportation officials were promoting Dec. 5 test rides for lucky passengers to get a first go at riding the new line.
The new timetable would also mean a revised line testing schedule of only three months, which in May was already reduced to four months from the original six months.
The purple people mover will hook into the current Blue Line’s terminal at Bang Sue. Ultimately the completed 23-kilometer route will run from Bang Bua Thong to Bang Yai in Nonthaburi province, passing Bangkok’s Phra Nakhon, Banglamphu, Wongwian Yai and Ratchaburana stations to end at Phra Pradaeng in Samut Prakan for a total of 10 underground and seven overground stations.
Photo: Mass Rapid Transit Authority
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This Father’s Day, be the first to ride the MRT Purple Line
MRT purple line to open next year
