Unpopular Purple Line failed to follow Skytrain’s example

The Purple Line’s problems in facilitating transportation from Nonthaburi to the city centre are a classic case of putting the cart before the horse. It was known even during construction that there would be a missing link between the Purple Line’s Tao Poon Station and MTR Bang Sue one kilometre away. The Purple Line was opened amid high hopes and much fanfare, but within days that optimism deflated. The missing link took its toll. The bus service mobilised to bridge the gap is ineffective, since the road between suffers atrocious traffic jams at rush hour. Walking is quicker than taking the bus. 

In contrast, the extension of the Sukhumvit BTS line from On-Nut to Bearing in 2011 has turned out to be an immense success, bringing the business and social life of central Bangkok within reach of residents on the edge of the city. My driver has now become a gardener, since there’s no longer any need to sit in a traffic jam if I want to travel into the city. The Skytrain system has its faults, but I do find myself occasionally thanking the BTS for providing an alternative to past misery.

Songdej Praditsmanont