Grey Line (Bangkok)

The BMA Grey Line (Vatcharapol - Lat Phrao - Rama IV - Rama IX Bridge) is a planned monorail line in Bangkok, Thailand.

The planned BMA Grey line route runs along a north - south axis for a distance of 16.25 km with 15 planned stations and is expected to cost 27 billion baht.^[1] The line would support the growth of residential areas around Pradit Manutham Rd and Kaset-Namawin rd corridors and is forecast to carry 340,000 passengers per day. The Grey line would provide a vital north - south link in the north eastern suburbs of Bangkok linking with other lines including the MRT Pink Line (under construction), the proposed MRT Brown Line, the MRT Yellow Line (under construction), MRT Orange Line (under construction) and BTS Sukhumvit Line.

As of November 2021, the BMA is awaiting completion of a consultants study into the project which will be completed by March 2022.^[2]

Route[]

The route runs from Ram Indra Road, in the northeast of Bangkok, where it interchanges with the MRT Pink Line (under construction) running south on Pradit Manuthum Rd along the Chalongrat Expressway corridor. It then interchanges with the proposed MRT Brown Line at Chalongrat Intersection (Kaset-Namawin rd) and continues further south to interchange with MRT Yellow Line at Lat Phrao rd before continuing further south along Pradit Manuthum Rd to interchange with the MRT Orange Line at Rama 9. Finally, the line continues south then south west into Sukhumvit soi 55 before terminating at the downtown district of Thong Lo where it interchanges with BTS Sukhumvit Line.

History and planning progress[]

In August 2011, the newly elected Yingluck Shinawatra government decided to defer plans for the Grey Line and the Light Blue Line, citing that the lines are not a priority within their current 10 lines Master plan. The government suggested the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration pursue construction but stated that the BMA would have to fully fund the line itself.^[3]

The BMA stated in mid 2013 that it considered the Grey monorail line a priority and planned to progress planning by completing an EIA by the end of 2013 for the line to be tendered by early 2014.^[4] If approved, construction would take place from 2015 - 2017 for opening in 2018.^[5] However, in March 2014, the OTP stated that they would contract a consultant to undertake further study of the Grey Line.^[6] In May 2014, a consultant was contracted to undertake a financial feasibility study of the line, scheduled to complete the work by the end of 2014.^[7] A second public hearing on the proposed line was held in January 2015.^[8] An environmental impact assessment was completed in September 2016 but was unsuccessful.^[9] More recently in June 2018, the BMA vowed to revive the project by rectifying the EIA and resolve the opposition from locals in the Thong Lor area. The BMA also will seek to gain approval and support from the Expressway Authority of Thailand to construct the line along the Pradit Monutham rd/Chalongrat Expressway corridor.^[10]

In September 2018, the MRTA Governor stated that the MRTA would like to build the proposed Grey line in order to provide a feeder line to the MRT Pink Line and MRT Brown Line. Also, given that the MRTA is already working with the Expressway Authority of Thailand regarding an integrated design for the MRT Brown line, the MRTA can build on that experience to gain access to land needed for the Grey line, especially at the MRT Brown line interchange at Kaset-Namawin rd.^[11]

In August 2021, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) hired consulting firms to provide analysis for a public-private partnership (PPP) to build the new line.^[12] The analysis study by consultants is expected to complected by March 2022.^[13] Thereafter, it would be proposed to seek Cabinet approval for the line in 2023 and private investor partners in 2024-2025 with a view to commencing construction in 2026 in order for the line to open in 2030.^[14]

Potential Phase 2 & 3 extensions[]

Also under consideration is a Phase 2 and Phase 3 extension along the length of Rama 3 rd, over the Chao Phraya river and along Ratchadapisek rd (Inner Ring rd) to Tha Phra to replace the BRT along this route. This would enable the Grey Line to interchange with the BTS Silom Line at Talat Phlu station, the future MRT Purple Line (Phase 2) southern extension and link with the MRT Blue Line extension at Tha Phra station.^[15] If the Phase 3 extension is built, the total route distance would be 39.9 km. In September 2019, it was announced that the monorail would be built as two disconnected sections and could be ready by 2023.^[16]

A possible Phase 2 extension would extend from Sukhumvit Rd., along Rama IV Rd., and Ratchadaphisek - Rama 3 Rd and end at The Rama IX Bridge at the Chao Praya river and service the Sathupradit area in Yan Nawa District. The Phase 2 extension would result in a route that is approximately 26 km long. It would also essentially replace much of the Bangkok BRT route.

A planned Phase 3 extension from The Rama IX Bridge /Rama 3 rd and would continue along Ratchadapisek rd to link with the BTS Silom Line at Talat Phlu station, the future MRT Purple Line (Phase 2) southern extension and eventually terminate with the MRT Blue Line extension at Tha Phra station. A Phase 3 expansion would result in a total distance for the Grey Line of 39.9 km.^[10]

Stations[]

The route has a total of 15 planned stations.

For the potential Phase 2 & 3 sections, 24 stations are proposed. (Note: The Bangkok BRT would be replaced along this section) .

See also[]

References[]