Operational trials have begun for Bangkok's MRT Pink Line, using Alstom's Innovia automated monorail system for passenger transport.
The Pink Line, which is 34.5 kilometers long and has 30 stations, connects the densely populated areas of Khae Rai and Min Buri. This service has reduced travel time between these destinations by 50%, allowing journeys to be completed in less than an hour.
The Pink Line also connects to five other rail lines in Bangkok. There are plans to extend the line by 2025, including two additional stations, to improve connectivity between Bangkok and Nonthaburi.
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Srettha Thavisin, officially inaugurated this new rail service on November 21. The line is currently undergoing a public trial period and will be offered free of charge until the end of December 2023.
After the successful completion of the trial period, the MRT Pink Line is scheduled to begin paid service in January 2024. The Pink Line MRT features a driverless monorail system that operates at speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour and can carry more than 470,000 passengers daily.
A digital display indicates the arrival of trains every 8-10 minutes. Trains operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Once operational, fares are expected to range from THB 15 to THB 45 (US$0,43 to US$1,29).
The driverless monorail system operates at an operating speed of 80 km/h and the train fleet consists of 42 sets of four-car Innovia monorail trains. The fleet will be supplied by Alstom's joint venture company, CRRC Puzhen Alstom Transportation Systems Limited (PATS).
