BMA launches BRT service between Sathorn-Ratchapruek, free public trial through Aug 31

BANGKOK, May 29 (TNA) — An express bus service — Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) — in the Thai capital was launched Saturday to assist commuters travelling to offices and homes from Sathorn Road to Ratchapruek Road in the Tha Phra area in the Thonburi side of Bangkok, west of the Chao Phraya River.

Accompanied by senior Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials and representatives of several government agencies, Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra presided at the opening ceremony of the BRT service, the first of its kind in the country, by boarding a bus from the BRT station on Sathorn Road to Ratchapruek station – a total distance of about 15 kilometres.

There are 12 BRT stations on the entire route and the bus takes about 35 minutes to reach its destination.

From Ratchapruek Station, passengers can connect to the BTS Skytrain at Chong Nonsi Station.

The BRT bus services are free from 1pm Saturday through August 31. After the test period, a flat rate of Bt10 will be collected until January 2, when a progressive rate of Bt12 to Bt20 will take effect for full operation.

Currently 25 BRT buses are assigned to operate on the route between 6am and midnight. Buses will leave the stations every 10 minutes, except during rush hour when departures are every five minutes. (TNA)