The MRT Purple Line, also officially known as the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line, is the newest rapid transit system to open in Thailand, linking the Bangkok Metropolitan Region with Nonthaburi Province.
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.
An E233-5000 Series operating on the Keiyo Line approaching Maihama Station.
The J-TREC sustina for the MRT Purple Line also seems vaguely based on the existing E233 Series in operation in Japan, with added features based on MRTA’s order, most noticeably the front emergency detrainment door and external sliding leaf doors.
Inside the train, it does not feel like the actual E233 Series but what you would expect from an evolution of the BTS and MRT Blue Line rolling stock, with some Japanese improvements.
The passenger information screen above every door provides route information with the side of the doors opening when approaching and at the station. Having such an LED screen also allows for future changes to the layout of the screen without spending additional money on hardware upgrades, and future-proofs extensions of the line to Rat Burana in Samut Prkaan Province via Bangkok’s old quarter, Golden Mount and Wongwian Yai.
In the middle of the seating area, the usual advertising and information screens similar to the BTS and MRT Blue Line can be found.
As the MRT Purple Line is not connected to the rest of the Bangkok Rapid Transit Network yet due to the missing link between Bang Sue and Tao Poon, you may continue your journey between these two station by free shuttle buses, or catch a free shuttle train between Bang Sue and Bang Son on weekday peak hours.
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