• 
• 

Published on October 29, 2007

 The first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services commence next July, more than 100 days behind schedule.

The 15.9-kilometre Chong Nonsi-Ratchaphruek section has experienced construction delays, explained Bangkok Deputy Governor Phanich Wi-kitsate, who oversees the BRT project.

The first route is costing Bt2.1 billion and will depart from the Chong Nonsi Skytrain station, along Narathiwat Rajanakrin and Rama III Roads, then across the Rama III Bridge over the Chao Phya, then to Ratchadaphisek and end in the Ratchaphruek area.

Each run along the 12-stop route will take between 28 minutes to 35 minutes. Fares for the air-conditioned ride will range from Bt12 to Bt18.

A bus will leave the terminus every seven to 10 minutes, increasing to every three to five minutes at rush hours.

There will be a park-and-ride area at Ratchaphruek station with a capacity of 100 cars. Parking areas will be built at the stops in between, too.

A skywalk will provide access to the Chong Nonsi station and connect it with the Skytrain. BRT buses will run in dedicated lanes close to traffic islands. Commuters will alight from platforms built on the islands.

Critics say the plan will worsen traffic congestion when the services starts, because it will take up a lane currently used by other vehicles.

But Governor Apirak Kosayodhin - the service was his brainchild and one of his election promises - said it will be an immediate, cheap solution to gridlock. He said it cost less than the Skytrain or subway and was much quicker to build.

The BRT costs between Bt80 million and Bt120 million a kilometre and the Skytrain cost Bt1.2 billion to Bt1.5 billion for the same distance. The underground train cost Bt3 billion per kilometre, Phanich said. The Bangkok Metropolitan Admi-nistration (BMA) has not decided if the routes will be operated directly by the city or by a BMA-regulated company.

As soon as this was concluded, new buses would be purchased. This is expected to be sometime in June next year.

When it is fully operational the service will run between 5am to 11pm. It is estimated to cost Bt200 million a year.

The Bt10-million, 12-metre-long buses plying the routes will run on natural gas and hold 80 passengers.

Phanich said each BRT route hopes to transport 50,000 computers a day, its break-even point. They expect to take 19,000 cars off the road each day.

A second route from Mo Chit Skytrain terminal in Chatuchak to Chaeng Wattana government centre in Nonthaburi will start in mid-2009. This 13.5-kilometre route will have eight stops and will cost Bt1.5 billion.

Five other routes are awaiting BMA consideration over the next three years.

The total distance covered will eventually reach 120 kilometres and will take three years and Bt12.89 billion to build.

The proposed routes are Surawong-Ratchaphruek-Pracha Uthit (23 kilometres at a cost of Bt2.17 billion); Don Muang-Min Buri-Suvarna-bhumi Airport (38 kilometres at Bt4.53 billion); Pak Kret-Mo Chit (18.7 kilometres at Bt1.12 billion); Min Buri-Srinakarin-Soi Bearing (25 kilometres at Bt31.2 billion) and Bang Na-Suvarnabhumi Airport (15.6 kilometres at Bt1.93 billion).

Mayuree     Sukyingcharoenwong

 The Nation