PUBLISHED : 25 Nov 2023 at 04:00
Almost 150,000 people rode the Pink Line during the first two days of a free trial, according to Department of Rail Transport (DRT) director-general, Pichet Kunadhamraks.
Free rides are being offered during a trial period for the 34.5-kilometre Pink Line service, which started on Nov 21. The line has 30 stations connecting the Government Complex on Chaengwatthana Road to Min Buri.
Some 149,172 passengers used the train on Nov 21–22, with 50,910 riding in 69 train services on the first day’s five-hour operational period from 3pm–8pm. From Nov 22 to Dec 3, the service is available from 6am to 8pm with train services every 10 minutes.
Wat Phra Si Mahatat Station was the most crowded station, with 17,000 passengers catching or alighting from trains at the station as it connects with the BTS Green Line.
Mr Pichet said that he had asked Northern Bangkok Monorail (NBM) to focus on crowd control management to prevent overcrowding at the station.
The Pink Line also connects with the Purple Line at the Government Complex station, and the free trial has led to a growing number of Purple Line passengers. About 78,355 people are now using the Purple Line per day, the highest figures since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mr Pichet said he has asked the Mass Rapid Transport Authority and NBM to speed up access to every station entrance on the Pink Line and interchange walkway construction before commercial operations start on Dec 4.