Airport Rail Link (Bangkok)

The airport link contract was signed in January 2005, and construction began in July 2005.{{cite news| url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/bangkok-airport-express-to-change-city-travel.html| title=Bangkok Airport Express to change city travel| work=Railway Gazette International| date=December 2005| access-date=30 July 2009| archive-date=21 December 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221075042/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/bangkok-airport-express-to-change-city-travel.html| url-status=dead}} The line was built by a consortium of B.Grimm, STECON, and Siemens. The cost of the project was 25.9 billion baht.{{cite news| author=David Briginshaw| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQQ/is_4_45/ai_n13659215| title=Work starts on link to Bangkok's new airport| work=International Railway Journal| date=April 2005}}

The line is built largely along the same alignment as the failed Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System (BERTS) project, which was started by Hopewell Holdings and ceased construction in 1997, when only 10 percent of the project had been completed. Many idle pillars left from BERTS stood in the way of the new system. After an extensive debate and an engineering review on their suitability for use in the ARL project—and demands for compensation from Hopewell—the SRT eventually decided to demolish the pillars and build new ones.{{cite news| title=Removing 25 unusable Hopewell pillars to make way for the Airport Link| work=Prachachat Thurakij| date=18 November 2004}}

Originally scheduled to be completed by 2007, the Hopewell debacle, an extended bidding process, and a series of legal challenges from squatters and property owners who had encroached on SRT's land, repeatedly delayed the project. Initial test runs were conducted in October 2009, with a free limited trial service open to the public running from April 2010. Full commercial services were launched on 23 August 2010.{{cite news|title=Time to fix Airport Link|url=http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/908524/time-to-fix-airport-link|access-date=24 March 2016|work=Bangkok Post|date=24 March 2016}} It was initially operated by the S.R.T. Electrified Train Company (SRTET), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT).

In October 2021 operation of the line was transferred to a new special-purpose vehicle led by the consortium of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Holding and partners including Ch. Karnchang PLC. (CK), Bangkok Expressway and Metro PLC. (BEM), Italian-Thai Development PLC. (ITD) and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC){{Cite news |title=CP-led group to take over airport link|work=Bangkok Post|date=22 October 2021 |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2201967/cp-led-group-to-take-over-airport-link|access-date=2021-11-29}} and the service rebranded as AERA1 City.{{Cite web|date=2021-10-29|title=Ibusiness review : สีเขียวเหนี่ยวทรัพย์ จากแอร์พอร์ตลิงก์สู่ AERA1|url=https://ibusiness.co/detail/9640000107025|access-date=2021-11-29|website=ibusiness.co|language=th}} The consortium will also operate the Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway.

{{main article|Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway}}

Since its inception, the ARL was intended to be extended north to the new Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal and ultimately Don Mueang International Airport (DMK). This would use the SRT Dark Red Line and main SRT north line corridor.{{cite web |title=โครงการงานออกแบบรายละเอียดโครงการระบบขนส่งทางรถไฟเชื่อมท่าอากาศยานกรุงเทพ-ท่าอากาศยานสุวรรณภูมิ |url=http://www.otp.go.th/th/index.php/project/18-2551/1822-itsi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110225121321/http://www.otp.go.th/th/index.php/project/18-2551/1822-itsi.html |archive-date=25 February 2011 |access-date=2011-01-17}} The {{convert|21.8|km|abbr=on}} extension—{{convert|3.5|km|abbr=on}} underground and {{convert|18.3|km|abbr=on}} elevated—would consist of five stations beyond the current terminus at Phaya Thai: Ratchawithi (underground), Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, Bang Khen, Laksi, and Don Mueang.

Originally, it was thought that work on the extension would not commence until after 2016. However, the Thai Cabinet designated a two-airport policy in March 2012 encouraging airlines, particularly low-cost carriers, to move to Don Muang Airport.Single-airport policy ends. Don Mueang to be used for more budget flights, Bangkok Post, 16 March 2012 This resulted in an advance of the ARL extension timeline.Transport Ministry speeds up Airport Link extension; sees completion in 3 years, Thai News Agency, 4 October 2012 The SRT budgeted for the extension in its 2013 budget and the 27 billion baht extension was planned to be tendered in the latter half of 2013. The political crisis in the last three months of 2013 and early-2014 delayed any further progress of the project. The military coup of May 2014 resulted in a military administration which did not fund the project in 2014. The ARL was intended to be the backbone of a future high speed rail line (HSR) to Chonburi and Rayong – originally scheduled to be completed by 2018. The military coup of May 2014 subsequently resulted in deferring all HSR line proposals for a period of two years. Construction resumed along the elevated line to the station at Don Mueang International Airport in late 2016.

In February 2015, the Thai Cabinet approved a budget for land appropriation with the expectation that the extension would be tendered later in 2015.http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1424777653, Pracha News, 24 February 2015 However, this did not occur and there was no advance on the project in 2016. In 2017 that the Thai Government decided that the new Eastern high speed line would originate at Don Muang Airport, and not Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. Thus, this project effectively became the ARL extension to Don Muang Airport as it will use the ARL track and stations.

In early 2018, the SRT stated that the Eastern HSR line section from Phaya Thai to Krung Thep Aphiwat and Don Mueang Airport is expected to be tendered by May 2018 with a 4 months auction period before the successful bidder is awarded.{{cite news |last1=Jotikasthira |first1=Om |date=28 February 2018 |title=Auction for train contracts in April |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1419503/auction-for-train-contracts-in-april |newspaper=Bangkok Post |location=Bangkok}} The cost of the project is estimated to be over 200 billion baht, of which the Thai Government will fund 123 billion baht and the private sector estimated to contribute 90 billion baht.{{cite news |date=9 March 2018 |title=New govt 'won't halt airport fast rail plan' |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/1424787/new-govt-wont-halt-airport-fast-rail-plan |newspaper=Bangkok Post |location=Bangkok}}

As of April 2020, the Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao rail connection was still described as is a "proposed railway". It has been envisaged to partly run as a high-speed line.{{Cite web |date=2020-04-27 |title=Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway – The 3-airport rail link of Bangkok |url=https://futuresoutheastasia.com/don-mueang-suvarnabhumi-u-tapao-high-speed-railway/ |access-date=2022-01-28 |website=Future Southeast Asia}} In October 2021, state authorities announced that the link connecting all three airports will be ready in four years.{{Cite news |last1=Theparat |first1=Chatrudee |date=27 October 2021 |title=State insists airport rail link be ready in 4 years |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2204547/state-insists-airport-rail-link-be-ready-in-4-years |access-date=28 January 2022 |work=Bangkok Post}} In July 2022, the government announced construction would begin in October 2022, and be competed in 2026.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-11 |title=Construction of 3-airport high-speed railway link starts in October |url=https://www.nationthailand.com/in-focus/40017608 |access-date=2022-07-13 |work=The Nation |location=Thailand}} However, as of 2024, construction has not yet started.

{{further|List of rapid transit stations in Bangkok}}The line is {{convert|28.6|km|abbr=on}} long and is elevated, running above the existing eastern railway, with an underground terminal at the airport. Commuter trips take 27 minutes from Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi Airport. Unlike most railways in Thailand, which use meter-gauge railways, the Airport Rail Link uses standard-gauge railways.

The Airport Rail Link is electrified via overhead lines at {{25 kV 50 Hz}}. All stations were built to accommodate 10-car trains, and the express train platform of Makkasan station and all platforms at Suvarnabhumi are fitted with platform automatic screen doors. The top speed is {{convert|160|km/h|abbr=on}}, but the short distances between the stations do not permit commuter services to reach that speed.

At Makkasan and Suvarnabhumi, both lines have their own tracks and platforms. At Hua Mak the express line can bypass the city line via a passing loop.

Nine four-car and three-car Siemens Desiro EMUs based on the British Rail Class 360 are used.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/bangkok-airport-express-to-change-city-travel.html Bangkok Airport Express to change city travel] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091221075042/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/10/bangkok-airport-express-to-change-city-travel.html|date=21 December 2009}}. Railway Gazette International 1 December 2005. The only significant difference from the UK units is a much larger air conditioning pod on the roof, providing extra cooling to cope with the Thai climate. As with other Class 360 units, the trains were built in Krefeld, Germany – and were delivered from 2007, and testing in Bangkok began in March 2008.{{Cite web |date=2007-09-10 |title=Bangkok Desiro deliveries begin |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/bangkok-desiro-deliveries-begin/32307.article |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809002503/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/bangkok-desiro-deliveries-begin/32307.article |archive-date=9 August 2020 |access-date=2020-06-29 |website=Railway Gazette International}} On 15 May 2012 the Thai Cabinet approved a budget of 5.2 billion baht for the SRT to order seven new, four car sets of Siemens Desiro rolling stock to be delivered by 2014.{{cite web |date=16 May 2012 |script-title=th:แอร์พอร์ตลิงก์ชงบอร์ดซื้อรถใหม่ 7 ขบวน 4.2พันล้าน เตรียมเข็นล็อตแรกปี57 |url=http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1337135189&grpid=00&catid=&subcatid= |publisher=Pracha News |language=th}} However, as of June 2013 no orders for new rolling stock had been placed.{{cite web |date=18 June 2013 |script-title=th:แพงเว่อร์คมนาคมรื้อ"ซีเมนส์"ดึง"จีน-ยุโรป"เสียบแอร์พอร์ตลิงก์ |url=http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1371526649 |publisher=Pracha News |language=th}}

Four Express trains—four cars, red colour—were used for the two separate express service between Makkasan and Phaya Thai and Suvarnabhumi

Airport. The fourth car is a baggage car with no passenger seatinghttp://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/bangkok-desiro-deliveries-begin.html Bangkok Desiro deliveries begin Railway Gazette International The other five City Line trains—three cars, blue colour—are used for commuter City Line service stopping at all eight stations on the Airport Line.

Since the suspension of the Express Services in September 2014, all Express sets have been used as all stop City Line services. In 2017, the SRTET commenced refurbishment of the four Express trains to install seating in the fourth car in order to increase passenger capacity.

Approval was granted by the Transport Ministry (MOT) for the SRT to purchase seven new, four car sets of rolling stock in early 2012 due to overcrowding and the urgent need to provide extra rolling stock. During 2013, the MOT reviewed the purchase intention to consider cheaper Chinese rolling stock. In December 2013, the Thai Cabinet approved 4.9 billion baht for the seven new sets of rolling stock.{{cite web |title=ครม.อนุมัติจัดซื้อรถไฟแอร์พอร์ตลิงก์ 7 ขบวน |url=http://www.dailynews.co.th/Content/economic/199316/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1.%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204073055/http://dailynews.co.th/Content/economic/199316/%E0%B8%84%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%A1.%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B8%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%95%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B1%E0%B8%94%E0%B8%8B%E0%B8%B7%E0%B9%89%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3%E0%B8%96%E0%B9%84%E0%B8%9F%E0%B9%81%E0%B8%AD%E0%B8%A3 |archive-date=2013-12-04 |newspaper=Daily News |location=Thailand}} As of mid-2014, a supplier had not been selected, but the SRT indicated its intention to invite bidders to tender for new rolling stock in September 2014.{{Cite web |title=ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ รวดเร็ว สด ทุกเหตุการณ์ |url=http://www.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000081898="manager.co.th"}}

This was subsequently delayed with the SRT expecting to conduct an e-tender in April 2015 with a schedule to sign the contract by June 2015.http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1426478279 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021060930/https://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1426478279|date=21 October 2017}}, Pracha News, 16 March 2015 However, a subsequent tender was suspended in 2016 after allegations of corruption surrounding the bidding process.

In early 2017, the SRT Deputy Director stated that the new rolling stock would be tendered and a contract signed by the end of 2017. However, in January 2018 the SRT stated that the purchase would be delayed until the finalisation of the Eastern high speed line tender as rolling stock for this line would be used on the extended ARL.{{cite news |date=19 January 2018 |title="ไพรินทร์"กลับลำจัดซื้อแอร์พอร์ตลิงก์เพิ่ม |url=https://www.posttoday.com/economy/536287 |newspaper=Post Today |location=Bangkok}}

Services originally consisted of both express services and the City Line, a commuter rail service with eight stations. However, since September 2014, all express services have been suspended indefinitely due to a shortage of rolling stock availability.

The ARL operates daily from 05:30 to 24:00, with services departing every 10–11 minutes during peak hours (06:00-09:00 and 16:00-20:00) and every 12–13 minutes off peak and weekends.

The number of passengers using the service in the first three years of operation was about half that projected. The SRT estimated about 95,000 passengers total per day, but the actual ridership was about 40,000, including 38,000 for the City Line and 2,500 for the Express Line. Airport Rail Link, a subsidiary of the SRT set up to operate the Airport Link services, has operated at a loss since the start of its operations. The ARL averaged around 56,000 passengers a day on weekdays and 40,000 a day on weekends in 2015.http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1426478279 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021060930/https://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1426478279|date=21 October 2017}}, Pracha News, 16 March 2015

The commuter/suburban City Line stops at all eight stations. It is used by many residents and students in the eastern suburbs as well as airport staff. The City Line has suffered from significant overcrowding since 2012. City Line units allow passengers to bring bicycles during off peak periods and on weekends, but excessively large bags for trips to the airport can be difficult during peak periods. The system has come under some local scrutiny for this.{{Cite web |title=ผู้จัดการออนไลน์ ข่าวอัพเดท ข่าวยอดนิยม ทันเหตุการณ์ |url=http://www.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9570000081898}}

On 1 June 2011, additional Express Line services became available between Phaya Thai station and the airport with a journey time of 18 minutes.{{cite web |title=รถไฟฟ้าด่วนเปิดเส้นทางใหม่ พญาไท – สุวรรณภูมิ พร้อมแถมเที่ยวเดินทางอีก 1 เที่ยวฟรี |url=http://www.railway.co.th/srt/pr/news/viewshownews.asp?idnews=%20804 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021003805/http://www.railway.co.th/srt/pr/news/viewshownews.asp?idnews=%20804 |archive-date=21 October 2017 |access-date=9 May 2011 |publisher=State Railway of Thailand}} This resulted in two distinct Express Services: one to/from Phaya Thai with a 60-minute headway; and one to/from Makkasan Terminal also with a 60-minute headway. This was due to a design flaw in the original laying of the rail which meant that the Express Line track terminates at Makkasan and does not connect with the City Line track which run on the outer side of the Express line, to Phaya Thai. The SRT allocated 17m baht in Feb 2012 to rectify this problem.http://www.manager.co.th/Business/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9550000020738 "แอร์พอร์ตลิงก์" ยันไม่มีปัญหาขาดแคลนอะไหล่ ปลดล็อกจอดรับส่งที่มักกะสัน, The Manager Online, 14 February 2012 As of early 2018 the two tracks had still not been connected.

At the end of April 2014, the Phaya Thai Express service was suspended for 12 months due to insufficient rolling stock being available while long term, overhaul maintenance of the express rolling stock was undertaken. Thereafter, the hourly Makkasan Express service was only averaging 400 passengers a day. Subsequently, in September 2014 the SRTET decided to suspend the Makkasan Express due to low passenger numbers and insufficient rolling stock. There have been no Express Services since this time. It will eventually be replaced with high speed train services once the Don Mueang–Suvarnabhumi–U-Tapao high-speed railway is complete.

Standard fare for the City Line is between 15 and 45 baht depending on distance. (The Express Line was priced between 90/150 baht for one way/return).

From 4 January 2011, a baggage check-in service began for passengers traveling on flights operated by Thai Airways, 08:00–21:00. Passengers checking in at Makkasan station (the city air terminal) were required to purchase an Express Line ticket and check in at least between 3 and 12 hours prior to flight departure. Bangkok Airways discontinued baggage check-in service in this facility on 13 June 2011. However, very few passengers—20 or fewer per day—used the Makkasan station check-in service.Agents, airlines blame SRT for poor rail link service, The Nation, 8 August 2011 The SRTET stated that they wanted to encourage further airlines to use the City check in service in early 2014 with a target of 1,000 people a day by late 2014.Airport Link to expand check-ins, Bangkok Post, 16 November 2013 However, in July 2014 the SRTET stated that it would most likely cease check-in operations as only 10 people were using it a day with only 200 pieces of luggage checked in each month. The service was costing SRTET 5.27m baht a month.Airport rail baggage check risks axe, Bangkok Post, 17 July 2014 All check-in services ceased in September 2014 when the Express service was suspended.

File:2023versionofbangkokmassrapidtransitmap.png|Network map

Image:Inside sarl cityline.jpg|Inside a City Line Train

Image:ARL Bangkok Express1.JPG|An Express Line Train

Image:ARL Bangkok CityLine1.JPG|A City Line Train

• Mass Rapid Transit Master Plan in Bangkok Metropolitan Region
• SRT Dark Red Line
• SRT Light Red Line
• BTS Skytrain
• Sukhumvit line
• Silom line
• MRT (Bangkok)
• MRT Blue Line
• MRT Brown Line
• MRT Grey Line
• MRT Light Blue Line
• MRT Orange Line
• MRT Pink Line
• MRT Purple Line
• MRT Yellow Line
• Bangkok BRT
• Suvarnabhumi Airport Automated People Mover

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{commons category|Suvarnabhumi Airport Link}}

• [https://www.srtet.co.th/index.php/en Official website of the S.R.T. Electrified Train Company] {{in lang|en}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120607015100/http://www.bts.co.th/customer/en/02-route-current.aspx Airport Rail Link, BTS, MRT & BRT network map]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130510222535/http://2bangkok.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?85-Airport-Rail-Link "2Bangkok Airport Rail thread"] Semi-regular updates, articles, pictures and commentary (In English)
• [https://bangkokairporttrain.com/ Guide to the Airport Link For Tourists.] Including current timetables and ticket prices. {{in lang|en}}

{{Bangkok Rapid Transit stations

|Airport=yes

}}

{{State Railway of Thailand}}

{{Public transport in Bangkok}}

{{Urban public transport in Thailand}}

{{Urban Rail Transit in ASEAN}}

Category:2010 establishments in Thailand

Bangkok

Category:Railway lines opened in 2010

Category:Standard-gauge railways in Thailand

Category:25 kV AC railway electrification