Public Transit Networks are Improving Environmental Quality in Southeast Asian Cities.

Despite covering just 2% of the Earth’s surface	Cities contribute over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions	Consume nearly 80% of the world’s energy

In Bangkok, air pollution led to nearly 6,000 deaths and incurred a cost of over US$2.3 billion in 2020 alone. The city is dangerously close to irreversible environmental damage.

The urban population of Bangkok is expected to reach over 12 million people by 2030. For decades, its population has been surging, with millions of people seeking job opportunities in the city.

Thailand is an automobile-dependent nation, especially in Bangkok where the city is also home to nearly 10 million vehicles. Thailand has emerged as Southeast Asia’s biggest automotive manufacturing hub and is one of the largest globally.

As Bangkok’s urban population grows an increasing number of vehicles begin to congest roads (it is estimated that there are 500,000 new vehicle registrations annually).

Congestion is the main cause of the city’s declining environmental situation, especially in terms of air pollution. Adverse impacts go beyond unsustainability; in terms of economy, drivers waste over an hour daily stuck in traffic and experts posit that this causes an economic loss of over US$340 million per year, or nearly US$2 million daily.

Reducing Bangkok’s congestion burdens with advanced transit systems

The development of the public transportation ecosystem, by ensuring that there are fewer vehicles on the road has been a top priority for Thailand’s government, especially with the Environmental Sustainable Transport Master Plan which focuses on creating systems that are sustainable for both public infrastructures and the people using them.

With cities across the world benefitting from public transit networks, Bangkok followed their example and introduced the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Skytrain elevated rapid transit system, followed by the subway Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT) in 2004.

The network has expanded to reach more areas in the city in the decades since, in line with Bangkok’s economic and population growth.

Thailand’s government has been leading the Red Line Project. From Bang Sue Grand Station, which is Bangkok’s prime transportation hub located in the city’s central Chatuchak district, the fully elevated rail system comprises a 26.4-kilometer line to the north (North Line) and a 14.6-kilometer line to the west (West Line).

Hitachi Rail, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation, delivered a total of 25 train sets (130 cars) sourced from Japan.

Through this project, Hitachi Rail has built a decades-long relationship of economic trade between Thailand and Japan, innovation transfers to improve the quality of life for the people of Thailand. This project is to specifically help alleviate Bangkok’s on-the-road vehicle population via a transportation mode that is not only more sustainable but also environmentally friendly.

Its impact has been significant, as it helps to improve urban welfare by balancing the affordability for the city’s daily commuters.

Empowering Social Innovation to Accelerate Thailand 4.0This new transportation link is Powering Good and enhancing Thailand’s Social, Environmental and Economic values.We are also working closely with the government and local stakeholders to implement advanced 4th Industrial Revolution technologies and Smart City initiatives to bring the nation closer towards Thailand 4.0.With Bangkok’s Red Line, Hitachi Rail is helping Thailand create more memorable passenger experiences that positively impact people’s quality of life – both in terms of being in a more environmentally-liveable city and elevating how they lead their work and personal lives.