Bangkok BRT

History

Plans for a bus rapid transit system in Bangkok were made in 2004 by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and the Ministry of Transport's Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning. In 2005, the BMA settled on a master plan consisting of fourteen BRT routes. Construction began in 2007 on the first route, Sathorn–Ratchaphruek. The route opened for trial operation on 29 May 2010 and officially inaugurated on 14 February 2011 with 12 stations.

The government also planned additional four routes to open before 2013: Mo Chit – Government Complex – Nonthaburi, Sathorn – Suk Sawat, Don Mueang – Min Buri–Suvarnabhumi, and Min Buri – Srinagarindra – Samrong. However, plans were progressively dropped beginning with the announcement in September 2010 that the Mo Chit-Government Complex route was going to be cancelled.

From its onset, the Bangkok BRT suffered from low ridership and financial losses. For these reasons, the BMA contemplated closing the route in early 2017. An opinion survey conducted by the BMA found that there was enough demand for the service to be retained. In March 2017 the Governor of Bangkok announced the service would continue, but that the fare would be raised to 15 THB. and changed operator to Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited.

On 2 February 2024, BTSC won the BMA's bid to operate and develop the BRT system. The existing route is expected to extend from Sathorn to Lumphini MRT station with an additional service to CentralPlaza Rama III shopping mall. As part of the bid, BTSC was assigned to procure electric buses with doors to accommodate both the current high-level platforms and for street-level. Two new infill stations are also planned to be built: Yaek Chan - Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra (between B3-B4) and Yaek Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra - Ratchadaphisek (between B4-B5).

From opening until 2024, Bangkok BRT had been operated using Sunlong SLK6125CNG high-floor buses. New electric buses built by CRRC were deployed on the line on 1 September 2024. Additional changes included the commissioning of two infill stations, Thanon Chan Neau (B3a) and Thanon Chan Tai (B4a). These changes were expected to increase ridership to 13,000 passengers daily. In conjunction with the changes, fares were suspended for the first two months until November 2024. Since then, fares have been capped at a flat rate of 15 THB.

Commuters criticised the changes, citing that the high-level platforms at BRT stations were not compatible with the new low-floor buses. Passengers could not board the buses from platform level and instead have to use emergency staircases at the end of the platform to board or disembark, causing overcrowding at stations. Initially, the slow rollout of the new buses meant that only 16 out of 23 buses were able to operate during peak hours, resulting in 12-minute frequencies. The Traffic and Transportation Department stated that the overcrowding problem is due by the delayed installation of a bus charging station at Sathorn, meaning that all buses have to use the only existing charging station at Ratchaphruek. The issue with the boarding process will be resolved by extending the platforms to accommodate the new low-floor buses.

Route

The Sathon to Ratchaphruek route follows Naradhiwas Ratchanagrindra and Rama III Roads.

The route operates in exclusive lanes physically separated from other road traffic using barriers or in HOV lanes with three occupants or more. The route does not have grade separation at some intersections, therefore causing delays. The configuration required the use of dedicated lanes, drawing criticism from motorists who believed that it exacerbated traffic due to the loss of traffic lanes.

Stations are located in the middle of the road and feature island platforms, accessible via skywalks/footbridges. Consequently, buses have doors on the driver's side/right-hand side, unusual for buses in Thailand which have doors on the left-hand-side due to Thai traffic being left hand traffic. Stations have high-level platforms that provided step-free access to the Sunlong buses, which were high-floor buses. In addition, stations contain amentities such as ticket offices as well as step-free access for wheelchair users.

The vehicles have a guide system used while they are stopped at station to ensure a minimum gap between the station platform and the vehicle.

Buses operate between 06:00-24:00 at 7-10 minute intervals during off-peak hours and weekends and 5 minute intervals at peak hours. An additional service between Sathorn and Nararam III is in operation during peak hours.

Stations

Fleet

Bangkok BRT uses single-deck buses with a length of 12 metres, a width of 2.54 metres, and a height of 3.44 metres. The system uses a fleet of 23 electric buses manufactured as part of a joint venture between CRRC and Cherdchai Group, a domestic company. Each bus can carry at least 80 passengers. Until September 2024, the Bangkok BRT were operated with Sunlong high floor buses.

Livery

The exterior of the bus features a yellow background with green stripes. This design resulted from a contest organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration in 2008 under the concept "Put Your Colors on Bangkok BRT," with yellow and green as the given colors. The winning design was created by a student from King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang. It was inspired by the swift motions of hand movements while drawing quick pencil strokes, symbolizing fast, reliable, and convenient service. The flowing lines indicate the flexibility of a moving hand, with thicker lines towards the back mimicking the forward movement of a bus.

Communications

The buses are equipped with GPS tracking, enabling passengers to track their real-time location through the Viabus app.

A passenger information system automatically announces station names on a LED display. Audio announcements are made by Thai actress Ratklao Amaradit who also voices announcements for the BTS Skytrain system. The electronic sign at the front of the bus indicates the terminal station. The bus is also equipped with a GPS and radio transmission to communicate with the control centre.

Safety Features

The bus equipped with several safety features, including:

• CCTV cameras inside the bus with digital recording system that can store footage for 72 hours

• A rear-facing CCTV camera outside the bus to assist the driver while reversing and monitoring

• Emergency stop buttons

• Two fire extinguishers are featured on board

• Guidance system which automatically aligns the bus with the station platform

• Automatic sensor sliding doors to ensure passenger safety while boarding or exiting the bus

Facilities for wheelchair users

Each bus is equipped with two wheelchair locks and a ramp that can be extended from the bus to the platform to facilitate the boarding and alighting process for wheelchair users.

Signalling

The line uses Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to control the signals for BRT, ensuring the buses priority when passing through junctions via the dedicated traffic lights. This system can also indicate the arrival time of the next bus.

Fares and ticketing

Since November 2024, Bangkok BRT is charging a flat fare of 15 THB per ride. Fares are payable via Rabbit Card which is also used to pay for the Bangkok rail networks that the operator operates, namely the BTS Skytrain, MRT Yellow Line and MRT Pink Line. A discount fare is available for senior citizens who instead pay 11 THB. Fares are also payable via QR codes through the LINE app as ticket sales on-system have ended.

Services

Headways

Ridership

References

References

1. (2 September 2024). "Bangkok introduces EV buses for BRT Sathorn-Ratchaphruek line with free service for two months".
2. "BRT สาทร - ราชพฤกษ์ รถโดยสารด่วนพิเศษสายแรกของประเทศไทย (BRT commemorative booklet)". Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
3. (30 May 2010). "First rapid bus line opens for free trial". Bangkok Post.
4. (10 September 2010). "BRT project stalls, private firm at helm". Bangkok Post.
5. (7 February 2017). "Bye Bye BRT: Bus service to stop at end of April".
6. "Improve BRT, don't scrap it". Bangkok Post.
7. Asaree Thaitrakulpanich. (27 March 2017). "It's Official: Bangkok BRT Won't be Shut Down". Khaosod English.
8. (6 February 2024). "รอบีอาร์ทีโฉมใหม่ใช้รถเมล์ไฟฟ้าติด GPS ขยายไปถึง MRT ลุมพินี".
9. (September 2023). "กทม. เปิดให้ใช้ BRT ฟรี 3 เดือน ตั้งแต่ 1 ก.ย. ถึง 30 พ.ย. 2566 พร้อมปรับรูปแบบใหม่เพื่อบริการประชาชนได้มากขึ้น".
10. "BRT set to see upgrades".
11. (3 September 2024). "ดราม่าสนั่น BRTโฉมใหม่ เสียบ่อย คอยนาน ปชช.ติง เช็กความพร้อมก่อนให้บริการ".
12. (15 June 2013). "Bus service still draws flak".
13. "Bangkok BRT an integrated public transport system".
14. [https://mgronline.com/onlinesection/detail/9670000074819 เผยโฉมรถเมล์ไฟฟ้า BRT ทดแทนของเดิม เตรียมเดินรถ ก.ย.นี้ เผยแพร่: 15 ส.ค. 2567 โดย: ผู้จัดการออนไลน์]
15. (1 November 2024). "No more free rides for BRT commuters".
16. (4 September 2024). "Newly revamped Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, 100% electric, free rides for two months".