MRT Purple Line: Tao Poon to Khlong Bang Phai by Train

With the MRT Blue Line extension to Tao Poon, connecting to the MRT Purple Line is now way easier as compared to the previous bus or train transfer. The MRT Purple Line is the newest mass transit line in Bangkok and is the first to serve Nonthaburi province towards the northwest, so there’s now more places to explore instead of the typical Chatuchak or CentralWorld.

Follow the signs to the escalators up to the Purple Line platforms.

The Purple Line consists of 16 stations with an end-to-end travel time of around 40 minutes.

Passing over Bang Son station of the future SRT Red Line, an interchange station with the same namesake of the MRT Purple Line.

With the extension of the Blue Line to Tao Poon enabling easier transfers, the ridership of the Purple Line has also significantly increased as compared to my previous joyride.

The MRT Purple Line operates with 21 3-car trainsets manufactured by Japan Transport Engineering Company (J-TREC) (formerly known as Tokyu Car Corporation), a subsidiary of East Japan Railway Company (JR East). This is J-TREC’s first overseas project and the second project after the new E235 Series for the Yamanote Line in Tokyo, Japan.

Here are some additional features of the J-TREC sustina which were not mentioned in my previous blog post.

The doors closing buzzer and light are found beside the doors. This allows for the deaf to know which side the door is going to close on, instead of having a generic in-train announcement throughout.

A safety strap is provided for passengers-in-wheelchair, similar to existing standards for the BTS and MRT.

I’m not a fan of the gangway design though, there is a high risk of pinching if you are leaning on it.

Passing by another J-TREC sustina.

After Phra Nangklao Bridge station, the train crosses over the Chao Phraya River over the bridge with the same namesake.

The existing road bridge lies beside the train viaducts.

The Bangkok skyline over the Maha Chesadabodindranusorn Bridge.

Across the river, some greenery can be seen, as if you are riding a train out of Bangkok. Oh wait – it is out of Bangkok.

Passing by CentralPlaza WestGate, which size and tenants puts the one at Jurong East to shame.

Approaching the end of the line.

To cater to the higher standing capacity at the gangway area with no seats, common sense prevailed by putting 4 rows of handstraps in place.

Of course, this smart design is found in trains produced in Yokohama.

At Khlong Bang Phai, the train moves ahead to the cripple siding before returning to the opposite platform to head back to Tao Poon.

The platforms at Khlong Bang Phai.

The Khlong Bang Phai Depot is located just beside the station, with track access both before and after the station.

The MRT Purple Line offers new places to explore, but that’s not all. The Purple Line is expected to serve Bangkok’s old quarter well once the extension to Rat Burana is completed in 2024, passing by the Democracy Monument, Golden Mount and Wang Burapha near Yaowarat.