Elevated Yellow Line to start offering free rides from Saturday
The elevated MRT Yellow Line will be open for free trial rides from Saturday onwards now that all safety standards have been met, the Transport Ministry said.
The trial run will cover the Lat Phrao-Samrong route, the ministry said on Tuesday, adding that the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has inspected all the civil work, train operation and electrical systems.
The operator of the Yellow Line is Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co., Ltd. (EBM). The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) is taking steps to make the service available to the public for free for about 30 days before it can start charging fares. is taking steps to make the service available to the public for free for about 30 days before it can start charging fares.
According to news reports, preliminary fares were calculated based on the 2016 concession agreement, with fares starting at 14 baht and going no higher than 42 baht. However, the fares will also have to be adjusted based on the level of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) three months before the service begins.
Hence, if the service was to be officially launched on June 3, the March 2023 CPI would see fares starting at 15 baht with a maximum of 45 baht.
The Lat Phrao-Samrong Yellow Line route spans 30.4 kilometres and comprises 23 stations. The route starts at the Ratchada-Lat Phrao intersection near MRT Lat Phrao station and runs along Lat Phrao Road, crosses the Bang Kapi intersection before turning right onto Srinakarin Road. After passing the Srinuch, Srinakarin and Si Thep intersections, the train takes a right turn to Theparak Road before terminating at the Samrong Station at the Sukhumvit intersection.
The concessionaire for the Yellow Line Lat Phrao-Samrong route is EBM, which is part of the BSR Joint Venture.
The BSR Joint Venture comprises BTS Group Holdings Public Co Ltd, Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction Public Co Ltd, and Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Public Co Ltd.
