Yappofloyd

The SRT Dark Red line is an all stop commuter line so there will be no Express Services.

The new Eastern HSR line will provide an express service as an extended ARL (it will take over the ARL) and the first part of the line to be constructed will be the section from Phaya Thai to DMK via Bang Sue.

Yappofloyd

These stations have essentially been finished for the last 18-24 months. The original opening date for the whole extension was late 2016 and evening taking into account the delay of the 3 months from the 2011 floods and usual 12 month delay, this really is a big delay.

The reason why the big delay in opening this part of the extension, and indeed a change in plans from the previous early August full opening with the now 2 month shuttle service limited operations, is that BEM (the operator) doesn't have enough new rolling stock to open a full service.

The shuttle service will only need 3-4 sets of rolling stock and they currently have 7-8 new sets. They need to wait until the end of Sept by which another 10 sets will have been delivered and then they can operate a through service for normal operating hours.

It's a big stuff up on the operators part as they order the new trains very late (large revenue loss for delayed opening). When one thinks that BMCL/BEM was originally due to purchase new rolling stock in 2008 but then had to defer due to debt restructuring, it really is years of poor fleet management with apparently no consequences from the MRTA (the owner). The MRT Blue line has been overcrowded at peak hours for years and the need for new rolling stock became pressing about 5 years ago. In that time, BMCL/BEM was awarded the tender to run the MRT Purple line (and bought new trains) and subsequently awarded to operate this extension.

CrazyInteg

Did somebody say rolling stock? The light at the end of the tunnel would be for the light to be blocked by a train in the tunnel.
A bit off topic but check out all these trains just waiting to be used for the Chengdu metro : https://photo.scol.com.cn/img/image/...43405_6928.jpg

seavisionburma

Nice pic Crazyinteg, interesting.

CrazyInteg

Somebody posted that over on another forum (SSC) and I also thought it was interesting. Just wish Bangkok had their trains loaded on a ship already, but they will be here soon!

seavisionburma

I thought the same thing when I opened your photo. All of those stunning new stock waiting to roll out, and we're still jamming into 4 carriage cars on the BTS in Bangkok (I am just back to Bangkok today, quick trip over from Yangon).
Yangon's rail network is currently undergoing a major upgrade (and inter-city lines up country also). Whenever I think of the Bangkok system, I soon realise its still years ahead of Myanmar's rail network.
(off topic sorry)

LIH Prem

Quick Tips on how to take the MRT to Chinatown and the Grand Palace ? Richard Barrow in Thailand

I wish there was a larger, more readable version of the map in the article.

-David

CrazyInteg

Do you have a specific question? Numerous people on this website should be able to answer your questions.

These maps?
https://metro.bemplc.co.th/Line-Maps?Line=1&Station=29

transpac

Can also toggle to English...

https://metro.bemplc.co.th/Line-Maps...ion=29&lang=en

These are the maps that are in the stations.

App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/d....mrt_app&hl=th

FB: https://www.facebook.com/BEM.MRT

Gazillions of maps, some have been linked in this thread.

That station, Wat Mangkon, is pretty cool. Good access to Yoawarat, and interesting above-ground architecture. I walked by it a few months ago and it took me a while to figure out it was an MRT station.

https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...t-of-chinatown

LIH Prem

I know where to find maps in general (but thank you), but I haven't seen "the map in the article" previously and it's kind of small. It's not overly complicated, clearly delineates lines not yet in existence, etc. But on the other hand, it's missing some details of other lines.

https://i2.wp.com/www.richardbarrow....4528.jpg?w=800

transpac

but I haven't seen "the map in the article" previously

The obvious solution would be to ask Richard Barrow?

I imagine he got the map from a Thai forum, like skyscrapercity, or FB and edited to illustrate the blue line extensions?

There are new maps up in the MRT stations showing blue line loop, from Tha Phra to Bang Sue.

Yappofloyd

The above map is one of the new BEM maps installed in all MRT stations. You can tell by the fact that it has removable sticker covers for when new lines open.

One thing, it is important to remember that this is only a limited service, free trial period of only 6 hours a day. The extension is really not considered open in such circumstances.

The hope is that MRTA and BEM might expand the hours due to pax demand after a few weeks to something more like 7/8am to 6pm. With the same 8 min headway they can still do that with only 3-4 sets that they are using.

We have to wait and see. This limited trail service if already a change from the staggered opening plan of 1 month ago so these limited hours might also change.

CaliforniaSteve

Yappofloyd

Mo Chit to Ha Yaek Lat Phrao (1 station) will now open a little earlier from 3pm this Friday 9 August. It will be free at least until Dec.

The PM is doing the opening ceremony at 12pm so it might actually open before 3pm if they clear out earlier. Just don't expect to be using it in the morning!

BTSC has 16 of the 22 new Siemens Inspiro sets delivered and operational so no problems with operating this and the December opening. (Only 3 of the 24 Chinese sets have been delivered but they will be mainly needed for the 2020 opening to Ku Kot in late 2020.

Yappofloyd

As previously mentioned, the hope was that the trial operations of 6 hrs a day would be extended after 2-3 weeks.

Thus, from Tuesday 13 August the MRT Blue Line ext free shuttle service to Tha Phra will be operate from 7am to 9pm!.