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Bangkok BRT an integrated
public transport system
By Eric Lim
The Bangkok BRT or Bus Rapid Transit is a special bus 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) for hotels along this line
- 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 of the skytrain at S3 Chong Nonsi and S10 Talat Phlu.
Features of the Bangkok BRT
These custom-built air-conditioned buses run on dedicated bus lanes on the outer lanes of the road.
Special bus lanes 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. The TV displays are no longer available.
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
Technic Krungthep (previously called Yen Akart)
Chan Road
Nara-Ram 3
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 S3 Chong Nonsi skytrain station on the Silom line. It also links to the S10 Talat Phlu skytrain station that’s part of the Silom line extension in Thonburi which opened in 2012.
This effectively gives commuters connecting rides to the skytrain and subsequently the subway.
Sathorn BRT terminal station leading to the Chong Nonsi skytrain station
Ticketing machines
With effect from 2 January 2011, new ticketing machines have been installed at all the BRT stations along the Sathorn-Ratchapruek route.
Touch screen ticketing terminal
These touch screen terminals are easy to use. Just touch the screen and the route map will appear. Touch your destination station on the map, insert the amount indicated and get your ticket.
Just touch the screen and follow the instructions
The system accepts 1, 2, 5 and 10 baht coins or 20, 50 and 100 baht notes.
The Bangkok BRT fare card
These tickets are slotted into the entry gates like the tickets for the Bangkok skytrain.
Top of page
Hotels along the BRT Sathorn - Ratchaphruek
Here are the hotels along this BRT line grouped according to the nearest BRT station.
Sathorn
Yellow Ribbon Executive Mansion
Arkan Songkhro
Anantara Sathorn Hotel
Technic Krung Thep
Area Residence Living Naraa Apartment
Chan Road
Chatrium Residence Double Two Sathorn
Forum Park Hotel Nara Suites Residence Sathorn Place
Wat Dan
Riverfront Residence
Charoen Rat
Montien Riverside Hotel
Ratchaphruek
Jolly Suites Spa Hotel Season Place
Top of page
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.
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
For details of the mass rapid transit system, please see Bangkok Mass Rapid Transit.
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