Push for construction of the so-called “Makkasan Complex”
Transport Minister Sukampol Suwannathat has vowed to push for construction of the so-called “Makkasan Complex” in a bid to boost passenger numbers on the Airport Rail Link.
Transport Minister ACM Sukampol Suwannathat (centre) inspects the check-in service at Makkasan Airport Rail Link station that connects central Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi airport. KOSOL NAKACHOL
The project at Makkasan BTS station will follow the Chamchuri Square model, a residential and commercial project on Rama IV built above Sam Yan MRT station. Developing the station would help boost its profile as the gateway to the Airport Link, he said.
Supoj Saplom, the transport permanent secretary and chairman of the State Railways of Thailand board, said a consultant will conduct a feasibility study of the 517-rai Makkasan project.
ACM Sukampol also pledged to expand the Airport Rail Link system, which connects inner Bangkok with Suvarnabhumi Airport, to Don Mueang Airport and Rayong province.
BTS and MRT connections to the Airport Rail Link system must also be improved to attract more users, he said. ACM Sukampol said his lobbying campaign will begin after government delivers its policy statement before parliament next week.
The minister yesterday inspected the Airport Rail Link system and insisted a flat-rate ticket price of 20 baht for the MRT, BTS and Airport Rail Link will be introduced as promised.
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/252594/airport-link-boost-planned
