The BMA Gold Line is an under-construction automated people mover line, part of Bangkok's rapid transit system. However, the line was not part of the current M-Map Master Plan as the line was proposed by the owners of Iconsiam mall in July 2015 to provide a feeder service to Iconsiam. The project was approved by the Thai Cabinet in September 2016 with an initial planned opening of late 2018. The first phase is scheduled to open on 1 October 2020 being 1.72 km and consisting of 3 stations. For the second phase, the line will then be extended 1 km along Somdet Chao Phraya road to connect with the futureMRT Purple Line southern extension with a planned opening in 2023. It will connect Krung Thonburi BTS station with Prajadhipok Road in Thon Buri District, a total of 2.68 km. Design and development of the line was the responsibility of Krungthep Thanakom PCL an enterprise of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration,. The project budget of 3.8 billionThai baht is fully funded by the proponent of the project, shopping mall company Siam Piwat who has responsibility for all construction costs as it will connect to the company's Iconsiam complex and other developments along the route. All advertising revenue and operating profits will be collected by Siam Piwat Company during the 30 year concession period. The BMA Gold line will be operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited under a 30 year contract, which also operates the BTS Skytrain. As of June 2020, overall work for the Gold Line is 81% complete.
Route
The BMA Gold Line starts adjacent to Krung Thonburi BTS station running 500m east to Charoen Nakhon road where it then runs north for 1.3 km past Iconsiam. It will initially terminate at Klong San station near Lat Ya road intersection and provide an interchange with the future SRT Dark Red Line southern extension. The line will then be further extended 1 km west along Somdet Chao Phraya road and terminate at Phrajahipok road to connect with the future MRT Purple Line southern extension. This extension is planned to open in 2023.
Rolling stock
The BMA Gold line will use Bombardier Innovia APM 300 automated people movers with rubber tyres manufactured in China's Anhui province. Innovia APMs are commonly used at airports to transport passengers between terminals. Each set has two carriages with 138 passenger capacity in each carriage, and can travel at a maximum of 80 km/h. The first set was due to be delivered in April 2020, but was delayed due to a COVID-19 related lockdown in Anhui province. The first set later arrived in Thailand on 18 June 2020, the remaining 2 sets are due be delivered in August 2020.
