Originally Posted by
IAN-UK
Though I guess they could also construct a 670m canal to Surasak...
Though will someone explain the bottleneck phenomenon .... I'm guessing it's something like a single line across the bridge, but as I've never been further than the bridge/ferry station, and I'm stunningly unobservant, I can't be sure.
There is a single platform at Saphan Taksin, which services both in-bound and out-bound trains. Hence you have people waiting on this same, smallish, narrow platform to go either in-bound or out-bound (yes, they have tried to separate in-bound and out-bound pax with limited effectiveness), and you have people getting off both in-bound and out-bound trains. The crowds can be quite crushing during commute times, and downright dangerous. This also contributes to delays as it leads to longer dwell times, as out-bound trains queue before entering Saphan Taksin station, which backs-up the system. Sometimes the huge dual platforms at Siam are so crowded lines snake down the stairs as a result of delays on the Silom Line..
Originally Posted by
EmailKid
I can only offer anecdotal evidence from my one recent stop there to change to the boat (and back to BTS), but even during rush hour it seemed to flow relatively smoothly.
Quite frankly I'm surprised they are making such a fuss about it.
Granted, given the way the station is set up, it may have been difficult to add the new track when the extended the line, but maybe not much harder than building the two new tracks over the river.
And given how many people I see connecting to the boats .....
EmailKid
If you commute regularly on the Silom line you would understand the fuss.
Saphan Taksin was originally designed as a temporary station.
FWIW it sounds as though my original post left out a pretty important piece, sorry.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...removal-begins
BTS SKYTRAIN
Taksin station removal begins
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is dismantling the platform at Saphan Taksin BTS station above Sathon Bridge to make room for the installation of dual tracks.
The Saphan Taksin BTSstation next to the Sathon Bridge will soon be dismantled as part of City Hall’s project to install dual skytrain tracks. PATIPATJANTHONG
Bangkok Governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra, who inspected the station yesterday, said the installation of dual tracks will ease the flow of electric trains on the route.At the moment, a single track carries trains going both ways between the Bangkok and the Thon Buri sides of the Chao Phraya River, leading to bottlenecks.
The BMA would solve the problem by laying another track through where the station's platform is built. The BMA will build a moving walkway, or "walkalator", to carry commuters from Saphan Taksin station to Surasak station 700 metres away once the station has been dismantled. Earlier, the BMA sought permission from the Rural Roads Department to expand Sathon Bridge to accommodate the installation of another track and keep Saphan Taksin station. However, the department rejected the request.
The BMA and Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS) later agreed to remove Taksin station to accommodate the twin tracks. The station serves 50,000-70,000 commuters a day.
The additional track will cost 70 million baht and the walkalator will cost 600 million baht. The Bangkok Council has approved a budget for them and the work can start once the Interior Ministry gives the BMA the go-ahead. "Without Taksin station, electric trains from the extended line [in Thon Buri] will be able to cross the Chao Phraya River faster, which will be more convenient for people from the Thon Buri side," MR Sukhumbhand said.
The bottleneck at Saphan Taksin station has slowed train traffic, especially during peak hours. Close cooperation between the BMA and BTS led to the decision to dismantle the platform. The station belongs to the company. The governor also inspected the construction of an elevated walkway at Wong Wian Yai station.