Silom Line
The Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday 2nd line, also known as Silom Line, is one of the rapid transit lines of the BTS Skytrain System in Bangkok, Thailand.[4]The line runs eastward from National Stadium Station in Pathum Wan District over Rama I Road and interchanges with the Sukhumvit Line at Siam station, then turns southward, following Ratchadamri, Si Lom, Naradhiwas Rajanagarindra and Sathon Roads to Taksin Bridge where it crosses the Chao Phraya River to the Thonburi side of Bangkok and Wong Wian Yai. It continues west along the Ratchapruek Road before it terminates at Bang Wa Station in Phasi Charoen District.[5][6] The line was first opened on 5 December 1999, along with the Sukhumvit. Both lines are operated by the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a 30-year concession from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. When it opened, the line ran from National Stadium to Saphan Taksin stations covering a total distance of 6.5 km (4.0 mi) with 7 stations. Sukhumvit Line is one of the main arteries of the Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit System with 900,000 daily passengers per day (combined with the Sukhumvit Line). HistoryOriginal planThe original route of the Silom line ran from BTS W2 station over Rama I Road, then turned right towards Ratchadamri and Si Lom roads. Instead of turning left at the Silom-Naradhiwas junction, the line went straight. After exiting BTS S4 station, the line turned left at the Surasak junction, then right at the Sathorn-Surasak junction, continuing for 500 meters and terminating at BTS S5 station. The depot for both lines was initially located at Lumphini Park. However, due to public backlash, it was relocated to the former site of the Northern Bus Terminal (also known as Mo Chit Bus Terminal) near Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit Line. Several changes were made during the construction as follows:[7]
ExtensionsWongwian Yai ExtensionOn 18 October 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) decided to fund and complete the 2.2 kilometers (1.4 mi) Silom Line route extension to Krung Thon Buri and Wongwian Yai Stations. Construction began on 13 December 2005 with completion originally expected within two years for a late 2007 opening. However, problems with the tendering and installation of a new Bombardier open signalling system repeatedly pushed back the schedule. The extension finally opening on 15 May 2009. However, the single platform Saphan Taksin station which has only one track, has caused repeated delays during rush hour. In 2012, the BMA announced plans to demolish Saphan Taksin station in the future. There are now plans to construct new platforms and remove the bottleneck and keep the station which provides an important link between river boats. The plan includes redesigning the road bridges either side of the viaduct to fit the new station. Bang Wa ExtensionThe third extension to the network, a 5.3 km (3.3 mi), a four station extension from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa in Phasi Charoen District began construction in the 2nd quarter of 2011, with a deadline of the end of 2012. Only the stations had to be constructed as the viaduct had been completed some years prior. However, construction was delayed for many months by the Bangkok floods of late 2011. It eventually opened in stages. Pho Nimit opened on 12 January 2013, Talat Phlu opened on 14 February 2013, with the last two stations opening on 5 December 2013.[8] The extension was initially operated by a separate six-car shuttle service due to the absence of a turnout between Wongwian Yai and Talat Phlu stations. The remaining two stations Wutthakat and Bang Wa were opened on 5 December 2013. Saint Louis stationIn 2018, it was decided to finally build the missing Saint Louis station (originally named Sueksa Witthaya), the EIA was finalised in March 2019.[9] Construction of the station began in August 2019 and by the end of 2019 had reached 25% progress.[10] By August 2020, construction had reached 50% but was 30% behind schedule due to COVID related delays.[11] The station was opened on 8 February 2021.[12] Taling Chan Extension (future)After the opening of Wutthakat and Bang Wa stations 5 December 2013, the BMA announced a new proposal to further extended the Silom Line by 7 km (4.3 mi) from Bang Wa station, by six stations to Taling Chan.[13] At Taling Chan it would connect with the SRT Light Red line. A public hearing was held in 2015.[14] Three route options were considered, with construction intended to start in 2017.[15] Part of the basis for this further extension by the BMA is that it would provide proximate access to the Southern Bus Terminal. The BMA Transport and Traffic Office completed an economic evaluation of the extension in October 2018 which found a cost benefit ratio of 2.37.[16] The study recommended that an EIA be completed in 2019 but this was delayed. Once the extension to Taling Chan is built the BMA has canvassed the possibility of a further future extension north to connect with the MRT Purple Line at Rattanathibet Road.
Yot Se ExtensionSilom Line is planned to be extended by two stations west from National Stadium to link with the SRT Dark Red line at Yot Se station. However, no time frame for this extension has been announced and this section of the SRT Dark Red Line will not be built until after 2022. Originally, the plan was to extend the Silom Line west from National Stadium into Chinatown, then north to Democracy Monument where it would then run west to Rattanakosin Island and Sanam Luang, tunnel under the river to the Thonburi side before terminating at Phran Nok. However, this plan was shelved back in 2009 and much of this route has been replaced by alignment changes to the MRT Orange line which is under construction.
Opening timeline
Stations
Rolling stockOperationThe Silom Line operates from 06:00 to 24:00 every day with some through-running trains to/from Mo Chit station on the Sukhumvit Line. Headways
Route mapGallery
See also
References
External links |