Bangkok BRT – bus rapid transit in an integrated public transport system

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Bangkok BRT – bus rapid transit
in an integrated public transport system

The Bangkok BRT is a Bus Rapid Transit service linking the mass rapid transit systems in Bangkok to provide an integrated public transport service for the city and her suburbs.

On 15 May 2010 the first Bus Rapid Transit line commenced service linking Sathorn to Ratchapruek across the Chao Phraya River in Thonburi.

Latest entry to the streets of Bangkok

This is the first of 14 Bus Rapid Transit lines ultimately serving the greater part of the city in the next decade. In the first phase, there will be five BRT lines. These are:

Sathorn - Ratchaphruek (in service)

Mor Chit – Soon Ratchakarn – Nonthaburi (planned)

Sathon – Suksawat (planned)

Don Mueang – Minburi – Suvarnabhumi (planned)

Minburi – Sri Nakharin – Sam Rong (planned)

Connecting to mass rapid transit and other transport

The existing and planned Bangkok BRT lines will link to existing skytrain and subway lines and planned mass rapid transport lines. One BRT line will also connect to the Suvarnabhumi Airport rail link.

Currently the Sathorn – Ratchaphruek line links to the Silom line at Chong Nonsi.

Features of the Bangkok BRT

These custom-built air-conditioned buses run on dedicated bus lanes on the outer lanes of the road.

For BRT buses only

The buses stop at specially designed platforms.

BRT bus platforms

These platforms can be accessed by stairways or escalators on both sides of the road.

Way up to the BRT bus station

There are ticketing offices up in the overhead bridges for purchase of tickets before boarding the buses.

Presale of tickets before boarding

System maps are on display in the overhead bridges showing the bus route and the various stations.

System route map

These overhead bridges also serve as pedestrian bridges.

View of the BRT station

On board each bus, a TV display behind the driver displays the station where the bus is at with announcements for each station in Thai and English.

Display screen in front

The BRT services run from 0600 hours – midnight.

Frequency of BRT services

At peak hours from Mondays – Fridays from 0630 – 0930 hours and 1600 – 2000 hours, buses will arrive at 5 minute intervals

At off peak hours and at the weekends at 10 minute intervals

Bangkok BRT Sathorn - Ratchaphruek

This is the first line to come into service. It covers 15.9 km and travels along Narathiwat/Rajanakharin Road, Rama III Road which loops along the sharp bend of the Chao Phraya to end at the junction of Ratchadaphisek and Ratchapruek Roads near The Mall Tha Phra on the other bank of the Chao Phraya River.

Boarding the bus

Please see Bangkok BRT Sathon – Ratchaphruek map

The route has 12 stations:

Sathorn

Arkan Songkhro

Yen Akart

Chan Road

Wat Dan

Wat Pariwat

Wat Dok Mai

Rama 9 Bridge

Charoen Rat

Rama III Bridge

Ratchaphruek

Fares

During the promotion period for the first months, 15 May – 31 August 2010, bus rides are free.

From 1 September 2010 – 1 January 2011, bus rides are 10 baht throughout the route.

From 2 January 2011, commuters will be charged from 12 – 20 baht depending on the distance travel. It’s approximately 2 baht for every 2 – 3 stations.

This Bangkok BRT service links to the Chong Nonsi skytrain station on the Silom line. It will also link to the planned Ratchadaphisek station that’s part of the Silom line extension in Thonburi which will be ready in 2012. Currently the Silom line ends at Wong Wian Yai.

Sathorn BRT terminal station leading to the Chong Nonsi skytrain station

This effectively gives commuters connecting rides to the skytrain and subsequently the subway.

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Hotels along the BRT Sathorn - Ratchaphruek

Here are the hotels along this BRT line. The closest BRT station is in brackets after the hotel name.

Chatrium Residence (BRT Chan Road)

Forum Park Hotel (BRT Chan Road)

Montien Riverside Hotel (BRT Charoen Rat)

Radisson Hotel Sathorn (Arkan Songkhro)

Riverfront Residence (BRT Wat Dan)

Sathorn Place (BRT Chan Road)

Yellow Ribbon Executive Mansion (BRT Sathon)

Map of the BRT Sathorn – Ratchaphruek line

Here’s a map showing the Bangkok BRT Sathorn – Ratchaphruek route and the stations along the line as well as the connecting skytrain stations (present and projected).

View BRT Sathon - Ratchaphruek in a larger map

Benefits of the Bangkok BRT

The Bangkok BRT provides safe, comfortable and convenient bus travel in Bangkok. Although the majority of commuters are local residents, visitors to Bangkok will find this service useful too as it allows them to see a side of Bangkok that’s rarely seen by tourists.

On board the BRT on a Saturday morning

More importantly the Bus Rapid Transit system when fully implemented connects to existing and planned mass rapid transit systems, other auxiliary transport like buses, mini-buses, taxis and river boats. This will give the city and her suburbs an integrated transport network.

Existing lines and their extensions

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