Thailand Ministry of Transport will quicken the launch of Metropolitan Rapid Transit Purple Line as construction nears completion.
According to Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong, the opening of the MRT Purple Line will happen in either April or May 2016, instead of August 2016 as previously planned.
During his trip to Japan in April, Prajin discussed the Ministry of Transport’s plan to reschedule the inauguration of the new MRT route with the Japanese company which is undertaking the construction of carriages. The firm agreed to speed up their work to meet the new time frame.
The first batch of three trains is expected to reach Thailand in September for a test run in December.
However Prajin said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority was still non-committal about the plan, since the operation of the trains also depends on readiness of the safety system and personnel.
The 23-kilometre MRT Purple Line will run from Bangkok’s Bang Sue District to Bang Yai District in Nonthaburi Province. Its launch is aimed at facilitating residents who have to commute between the suburb province and Bangkok, and vice versa.