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Bangkok Airport Rail Link (ARL): Updates, Advice, Discussion

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Old Jan 5, 2015, 6:44 pm
  #121  
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Originally Posted by transpac
I guess there are plans to link Phaya Thai to Don Meuang Airport, and another link out to U-Tapao airport (from Makassan, Lat Krabang or Suvarnabhumi), but these are obviously years/decades away from operation.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/gene...-railway-links
I've seen some signs on the old concrete scarecrows near Don Muang that they may start working there. But U-Tapao? Rail link?
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Old Jan 5, 2015, 7:35 pm
  #122  
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Originally Posted by Tchiowa
But U-Tapao? Rail link?
That's got to be the most ridiculous idea I've read about yet
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Old Jan 5, 2015, 8:44 pm
  #123  
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Bangkok Airport Rail Link (ARL): Updates, Advice, Discussion

The Royal Thai Navy "owns" U-Tapao. We currently have a military dictatorship. The Navy wants submarines, amazingly enough, but they've been denied these toys. Maybe this 'bone' will allow them to operate a commercial airport? Whenever something sounds reasonable here you now there's a problem.
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Old Jan 5, 2015, 8:44 pm
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Originally Posted by EmailKid
That's got to be the most ridiculous idea I've read about yet
Can't top this: http://www.hsr.ca.gov/
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Old Jan 5, 2015, 9:43 pm
  #125  
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Originally Posted by whackyjacky
Can't top this: http://www.hsr.ca.gov/
Sorry,

respetfully disagree.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 3:22 am
  #126  
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Originally Posted by Tchiowa
But U-Tapao? Rail link?
UTP conversion to (part) commercial use got some oxygen after it was put to use when Suvarnabhumi was closed in 2008. I think Bangkok Airways are currently using airport on a scheduled basis.

There are,no doubt, interests we'll never be aware of in converting/expanding UTP, improving road links and providing a rail service. These interests will not always be congruent with common sense, sound financial judgement or public interest

BUT although the rail service might terminate at U Tapao, it will also serve Pattaya and a number of other communities as a commuter line. So, all in all, not a totally unworthy idea.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 8:46 am
  #127  
 
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Originally Posted by nkedel
What's the current status of City Line service? Still running on the old schedule?
It never seems to operate in accordance with the times displayed at the stations when I go there!

With regards to the Express Service, I saw an Express train leave Phaya Thai on Dec 26th. I guess it didn't have passengers as access to its platform was closed off.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 8:57 am
  #128  
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Originally Posted by whackyjacky
Can't top this: http://www.hsr.ca.gov/
You win this round.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 9:50 am
  #129  
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Originally Posted by nkedel
What's the current status of City Line service? Still running on the old schedule?
For the most part Phaya Thai --> BKK at 02, 22, and 42 after the hour with variations only 6AM-8AM and 4-7PM. On weekends those 3 trains are at all hours.

For the most part BKK --> Phaya Thai at 12, 32, 52 exept 6-8AM and 4-7PM. On Weekends those 3 trains are at all hours.

During the aforementioned peak times there is a 4th train and the times are generally every 15 min.

I can't find a published time line, and the old ARL app no longer has the times, but I did take pics of the schedule at those two stations recently.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 12:09 pm
  #130  
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Originally Posted by dsquared37
For the most part BKK --> Phaya Thai at 12, 32, 52 exept 6-8AM and 4-7PM. On Weekends those 3 trains are at all hours.
Thanks!

"Roughly every 20 minutes" is good enough, and often enough that I'll likely use it later in the month on my arrival.

Originally Posted by IAN-UK
BUT although the rail service might terminate at U Tapao, it will also serve Pattaya and a number of other communities as a commuter line. So, all in all, not a totally unworthy idea.
If they bring (or spur) the line in relatively close to the tourist areas of town, I'd imagine an airport to Pattaya line would get a lot of use.

Hard to imagine this actually getting finished, though!
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 7:09 pm
  #131  
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The SRTET web-site shows a new schedule effective January 1, 2015.

No idea if it is accurate, or if the links work, and connect to accurate details.

http://www.srtet.co.th/en/

http://www.srtet.co.th/en/11_time_ta...table_PTH1.pdf

http://www.srtet.co.th/en/11_time_ta...table_SVB1.pdf

With regards to the Express Service, I saw an Express train leave Phaya Thai on Dec 26th. I guess it didn't have passengers as access to its platform was closed off.
Express service (non-stop between the airport and Makkasan or Phaya Thai) was curtailed as of April, 2014. They are using Express Train rolling stock on the City Line schedule, and from City Line platforms.
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Old Jan 6, 2015, 10:09 pm
  #132  
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Originally Posted by transpac
The SRTET web-site shows a new schedule effective January 1, 2015.

No idea if it is accurate, or if the links work, and connect to accurate details.

http://www.srtet.co.th/en/

http://www.srtet.co.th/en/11_time_ta...table_PTH1.pdf

http://www.srtet.co.th/en/11_time_ta...table_SVB1.pdf
That's a pleasant change to 4 trains per hour with a 5th during peak hours.
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Old Jan 7, 2015, 11:19 pm
  #133  
 
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Originally Posted by transpac

Express service (non-stop between the airport and Makkasan or Phaya Thai) was curtailed as of April, 2014. They are using Express Train rolling stock on the City Line schedule, and from City Line platforms.

"Express Line

As of September 2014, all Express services have been suspended until further notice due to a shortage of rolling stock availability."


Above quote is from the Wikipedia page for the Bangkok Airport Rail Link. I could swear the non-stop express trains were running when I visited Bangkok in early May.
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Old Jan 8, 2015, 6:26 pm
  #134  
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"I could swear the non-stop express trains were running when I visited Bangkok in early May."

Yes, my mistake, reading back through this thread it seems like the non-stop Express Service was curtailed sometime in mid-September 2014. Not sure why I had April on the brain?

Evidently some rolling stock has been refurbished so they can maintain this new schedule. Previously there was no budget for maintenance, and the complete maintenance was supposed to take quite a long time. Evidently they found a way to overcome these challenges.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/...5#entry8900390
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Old Jan 8, 2015, 8:09 pm
  #135  
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Originally Posted by transpac

Yes, my mistake, reading back through this thread it seems like the non-stop Express Service was curtailed sometime in mid-September 2014. Not sure why I had April on the brain?
Because there are banners at the stations stating it stopped in April by chance?
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