PM inspects progress of subway route extension

BANGKOK, 18 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said to cope with the energy problem, the public transportation network in Bangkok needed to urgently expand and integrate.

The Prime Minister traveled via the Mass Rapid Transit subway from the Rama 9 to Bangsue stations to inspect the electric train route extension project. He filmed his weekly program “Having Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit” there.

Mr. Abhisit was interviewed by the famous host and former singer “Heart” Suthipong Tadpitakkul. The Prime Minister said the extended-route from Bangsue to Talingchan had already started at the beginning of the year and it will be completed in 2012.

He added that the construction of the purple line or the Bangsue-Bang Yai and Bangsue-Rangsit routes will kick off before the end of this year. Mr Abhisit said the Government set goals to integrate the Mass Rapid Transit subway, Bangkok Mass Transit System skytrain, Airport Link, normal trains, buses, and other public transportation services into one transportation provider possibly under the supervision of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. The move was initiated for the convenience of the people, the PM said.

The Prime Minister added that if all public transportation services were connected, more people would use them which would in turn help reduce the use of gas by private vehicles.

Mr Suthipong, who usually travels by bicycle, also suggested an idea to the Prime Minister as a citizen. He said there should be bike lanes for people who travel by bicycle because riding a bike in the city was too dangerous. The former singer suggested that bike lanes should be developed along canal banks.