Electric train projects enough for Bangkok commuters

BANGKOK, Feb 22 (TNA) - The government believes all electric train projects are adequate to serve Bangkok commuters in the future and plans for light rail transit projects in other big cities. Somkid Jatusripitak, deputy prime minister presided over the meeting of the Committee for the Management of Land Traffic and acknowledged the progress in the construction of 11 electric routes in the capital, which will be operational between 2018-2022. These projects include the Green Line to Samut Prakan, south of Bangkok and other routes, covering 460 -kilometre distance in total. He said all routes and the extension will be adequate to serve the large number of Bangkok commuters. Parking space will be provided at 51 locations to accommodate 40,000 cars, so people can park their cars and take electric trains. Mr Somkid said the government will also develop mass transit system at other major cities such as Phuket, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Phitsanulok. Meanwhile, Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn said the 11th electric rail route, 21.5-km Brown Line from Kaerai to Ramkhamhaeng will connect with other electric rail routes in the future network of Bangkok mass transit system. He also affirmed that construction of a new expressway over Kaset-Nawamin road is necessary to tackle traffic woe despite opposition from a university. All sides should listen to different opinions and go forward together, he said. (TNA)