restlessinRNO

Yappofloyd - Thank you for your thoughtful discussion. Yes, the ARL is overcrowded. At 45 THB Phaya Thai - Suvarnabhumi, it is a bargain. Most people using it, though, seem to be local traffic, often getting off at Lat Krabang. So the ARL is filling a huge need for Bangkok public transportation. I remember when there was no ARL. What would those 50k pax do now without it!

dsquared37

The main problem with this 'forward looking' perspective is the reality that maintenance in Asia is rarely, if ever, budgeted for. Easy to look at ARL maintenance, and you know better than anyone here, to see how poorly this is being planned and implemented.

In 10-20 years while new things are springing up around Makassan the place is going to be falling apart and in need of replacement.

On top of that the platform is steamier than a Navajo sweat lodge making it, bar none, the most uncomfortable place to wait for a train in the entire Bangkok rail system.

Tchiowa

BTS seems to an exception to that rule, but other than that your point is well taken.

Yappofloyd

The context was building a large Makkasan Terminal (CAT) for the future and explaing why that was done - I also didn't mention that it will be used as the main station for the Eastern HSR line as the ARL will be the backbone for this line. (First proposed in 1996). Also that the planned light blue MRT line will link with Makkasan so it will be s future transport hub for the east.

In respect of SRTET maintenance on the ARL yes it has been a mess. The reasons are varied and interlinked. Partially due to the financial strcuture that the MOF imposed, insisting that the SRTET has to service the construction cost debt repayments from revenue. Partially due to the SRT being so slow to approve money and partially due to poor management and maintenance practices. They also exhausted stock for some parts much earlier due to some design flaws in the tunnel to the airport station.

I think that Makkasan will last 20 years fine just as BTS & MRT stations are built to last but yes undoubtedly some repairs and improvements will be required in the future. (Some BTS stations are planned to be expanded and repaired as pax numbers grow). The lack of ceiling air vents was a point I highlighted when the stations were completed. the design traps the hot air in the station and as you rightly state it can become like a sweatlodge experience - Makkasan is the worst.

Here is a model of the planned Makkasan redevlopment to give you the context for the future;

Yappofloyd

It is probably worth putting this in context insofar as the whole of Bangkoks land Transport Hub landscape will change in the next 5-10 yrs as policy designs are gradually implemented with new facilities. Most of the redevelopments involve commercialising ex transport land.

1) Makkasan Railyard Redeveloment as posted above though keep in mind that there a large residents lobby for 'green space' (25-30%) to be set aside in the project,

2) The huge Bang Sue Rail Yard redevelopment including the new SRT Bang Sue Intercity Terminal for all trains (including HSR), new PTT office park and new huge park (merging 3 parks) AND rebuilding the Chatujak markets underground,

3) Hulamphong railyard redevelopment once Bang Sue opens with new commercial offices, hotels and convention facilities,

4) Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal moving to near Rangsit,

5) Eastern Bus Terminal moving to Bang Na adjacent to The Malls new huge Bangkok Mall shopping center,

6) BTS Mo Chit Depot & car park Redevelopment (the old bus station) with shopping center, office space, condos and convention center & park & ride for the BTS

I'm not including the new metro and commuter lines which are being built over the next 2 decades.

manymany

Has this already been implemented? I went to Makkasan to catch the 8:30am Express to airport but was told by one of the workers there to use the City Line instead! This was last Monday, 18th August.

moa999

Back shortly for my first trip to BKK in a while and glad to see nothing has changed....

At least the Makkasan-Petchaburi connection is finished,
but the much cheaper and more sorely needed connection of the Express track is still not done.
And the Rabbit card is still not accepted on the MRT.
but hey, this is Thailamd

In my mind the Express Services has always suffered from a few big flaws
- The premium for it was always ridiculous (and even with its permanently discounted state is still double the local service)
- The frequency is not sufficient - 60min headways versus 15. Whilst I might be happy to wait a bit for it, unless its the next train I take the local (and indeed staff seem to direct customers that way at the airport).

I think KL has it right.
Same price whether you are on the local or the express (albeit still an effective premium built in - you can save money by splitting journey)
Similar headways. Generally the Express leaves a few minutes before the Local and effectively catches up to the train in front - thus generally the Express is always the next train.

transpac

The Express Line service has been suspended "temporarily".

They are using 4 train sets for City Line service, while using the other 5 sets, which have exceeded their limits, for spare parts.

I think you should expect lengthening service intervals, and longer waits.

It seems like, barring a miracle, even City Line service will have to be suspended given the long lead times for spares and additional rolling stock.


http://srtet.co.th/th/

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opin...-30243536.html

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/tran...ffer-quick-fix

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/...terms-upgraded

EmailKid

This is just sad

Given how many people use the service outside the airport, I'm thinking they will have to come up with a way to keep things running.

Arriving in November, just hope it's working then. Well, also in December, since I have to go back to work

IAN-UK

I've used the train only a few times - mainly when off on my own on overnight trips. I was struck by how heavily used it was as a commuter line.

It would be helpful if our knowledgable FT team could stand back a little and comment on why it has proved so difficult to operate something as (relatively!) simple as a short, well-suppported, single-line commuter train service.

tg911

I personally think it would have been better to extend the BTS out to the airport,rather than build a separate transport system.
We moved recently and now its easier to take a taxi to the airport,our nearest station is just stranded in no mans land with no easy way to get to it unless you use a taxi.
It seem they have decided to turn it in to a commuter train rather than an airport link train.
In London the Heathrow Express runs from a major transport hub to the airport and back works fine,just a bit expensive but well used.

Yappofloyd

The ARL was built as a commuter line with an airport express that was always intended to be extended to DMK airport. (That ext is currently 2.5 years delayed but may be tendered by early next year. DMK will end up with 3 lines servicing the airport)

The BTS will be extended to the airport from Bang Na junction along Bang Na -Trat road and into the Phase 3 expansion new terminal from the south. When the On Nut to Bearing extension opened the viaduct just noth of Bang Na intersection was built with spur liens for this future extension. Think late 2020s for this ext.

Yappofloyd

Finally, the TOR for the new rolling stock (7 , 5 car trains) has been finalised and should go out for tender soonish with a view to signing a contract by Feb 2015. IF that happens (there may be further delays), that would mean an end of 1st quarter 2017 delivery date at the earliest.

One silly thing is that the TOR doesn't specify that the new rolling stock has to be compatible (ie. connectable) with the current stock. That is going to limit future options. However, whoever wins the bid will rectify that.

Yappofloyd

In relation to the major maintenance schedule and some sets being over the operational limit, services have improved slightly from a few weeks ago due to the SRTET reduced the frequency slightly (peak 12-15min, off peak 15 to 20 min), lowered the speed to just over 100 km/h (to extend the life of undercarriage parts which will require replacement) and some pax are using alternate transport. Still only 5 sets are operating though reportedly a 6th may come back into service.

The junta is not allowing the SRT to do a special tender to expedite the spare parts procurement, it has to be via normal E-auction. I'd say that there is a 30-40% chance that the line will need to be closed for a few months, possibly by early next year.

As is the norm, a crisis of potentially or actually shutting the line down in peak tourist season will cause embarrassment and be the catalyst for a quicker procurement solution. The govt does has approved a 2.4 trillion baht transport and logistics plan.....they can spare some money to find a quick remedy and fly in the parts.

moa999

Took a train from Phaya Thai Station to Airport last week.
Was an old (and still branded as such) Express carriage being using on the Local line.

Was packed before it left and got worse as we went on.

--

Also note that there are still no lifts/down escalators at Phaya Thai BTS making it a tough transfer for those with luggage (there are up escalators so OK coming from the Airport).

Also had a brief look at the new Makassan transfer to MRT - well signposted, and apart from a few steps is very navigable with luggage (and all undercover)