Transport frequency to be increased to ensure curfew is complied with
Public transport operators have been told to increase frequencies of their trips before 10pm to make sure no passengers are left behind when the nationwide curfew begins at 10pm.
Transport Minister Saksyam Chidchob said on Thursday (April 9) that “increasing trips will not only facilitate commuters during rush hours, but also promote the social distancing policy in the public transport system”.
Saksyam said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, operator of MRT trains, has agreed to increase frequency on the MRT Blue Line to a train every three and a half minutes from 5.30-9.30pm. Three more trips will be added during rush hours to accommodate up to 450 additional passengers. The MRT Purple Line frequency will be increased to a train every four and a half minutes during the same period with nine more trips added during rush hours to accommodate up to 1,350 additional passengers.
SRT Electrified Train Co Ltd, operator of Airport Rail Link train, has agreed to add two additional trains and increase the frequency to seven and a half minutes between trains from 7pm to 9.30pm. Ten more trips were added during rush hours to accommodate up to 1,300 additional passengers.
Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, operator of BTS Skytrain, will add 15 trips during rush hours to accommodate up to 3,720 additional passengers on Sukhumvit Line, while Silom Line will get six more trips to accommodate up to 1,488 additional passengers.
Buses of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will get increased frequency of a bus every 5-10 minutes. The first bus will leave the terminal at 5am while the last bus will depart at 8pm. A total of 2,453 trips will be added to accommodate up to 74,476 additional passengers.