Bangkok officials are gearing up transport projects over the next few years in a bid to boost the number of city residents who travel via public transport through a better integration of major and minor networks.
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) also plans to launch a single ticket for BTS and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) services early next year before joining with the subway (MRT) at the end of 2011.
Teerachon Manomaiphibul, the BMA deputy governor, said that under their strategic plan, they would integrate major and minor mass transit networks, linking the Skytrain service with buses, light rail and even canal ferries.
The network integration aims to change Bangkokians travelling habits from private cars to public transport services that offer greater convenience.
Currently, the BMA is extending the Skytrain from On Nut to Baring, a link which is due to be completed next year. A separate BTS extension from Wong Wien Yai to Bang Wa is due to start operating in 2012.
Meanwhile, the BMA plans to complete the installation of 56 lifts at 25 BTS stations prior to 2012 to enable easier access for people with disabilities, the elderly and pregnant women.
There are further plans to expand the BRT service after pioneering a route between Chong Nonsi and Ratchaphuek. Other planned routes include Mor Chit to the government office centre at Chaeng Wattana and Nonthaburi, Chong Nonsi to Pracha Uthit, Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi, Min Buri to Samrong and Bang Na to Suvarnabhumi.
Teerachon said that water transport was also important. Next year, the BMA hoped to develop a new mode of water transport. Besides expanding new routes and piers, it will launch air-conditioned boats and decorate the walkways along both sides of canals.
The BMA planned to operate a water transport service along Klong Saen Sap next year for a total distance of 30 kilometres from Phanfa Lilat to Wat Si Bunrueang with 27 piers, and Wat Si Bunrueng to Tha Rua with 14 piers. These would accommodate travellers who could link to Phaya Thai and Ratchathewi BTS stations.
The air-conditioned boats would be operated along Klong Phetchakasem, accessible to planned BTS lines from Wong Wien Yai to Bang Wa and from Bang Wa to Bang Khae and Phetchakasem 69, which due to be completed in 2012. The water transport route would also link to BRT Chong Nonsi to Ratchaphuek.
In regard to the monorail project, the BMA planned to commence a first route from Chulalongkorn and Siam late next year, while the Monorail Grand Rama IX project and Light Rail from Bang Na to Suvarnabhumi Airport were planned to operate in 2013.
Other routes "in the pipeline" include from BMA Head office 2 to Rang Nam Road to Yothi Road and Ramkhamhaeng University and Thong Lo - to cover more inner-city areas, particularly central business districts that are not accessible to major mass transit lines.
Besides the integration of major and minor networks, the BMA has adopted technology to create a single ticket for all public transit systems. It plans to launch the joint ticket for BTS and BRT early next year and join the MRT in the end of 2011. They also want the single ticket to be useable on monorail/light rail, water transport and airport link services.
The BMA also plans to build 7 skywalks to link to mass transit routes - at Ratchaprasong and Pratunam Intersection, Victory Monument and Pathumwan Intersection, Ramkhamhaeng 24 and Rajamangala National Stadium (Hua Mark Sports Complex), Bang Na to Ekkamai, Ekkamai to Udomsuk, Udomsuk to Baring and Ratchaprasong to Taksin.
Teerachon said next year the BMA would conduct a survey on public transport services as a guideline for further improvements in response to peoples' needs.
It would also produce a guidebook of public transport services to help people prepare for travel via public transport networks. This would also provide details about mass transit buses, the airport link and even motorcycle taxis.
