Complete details of 2 new subway lines and 2 new extensions - Thaipost, November 11, 2004 and Prachachart Thurakij, November 15, 2004
Opening the connecting escalators between Subway
and Skytrain - translated and summarized
from Manager Online, October 28, 2004
MOTC Minister Suriya has come to open the connecting escalators
between Subway and Skytrain at Asok Station at 9am on October
28, 2004. This has been built by MRTA. This facility has to be
built since 95% of those who go out of Sukhumvit Subway station
are heading to ride the Skytrain.
Minister Suriya said MRTA should build more connecting viaducts.
MRTA Governor said they are going to open another connection at
Silom by the end of 2004.
Subway temporarily out of service due to fire
extinguisher leak - translated and summarized
from Manager Online, October 28, 2004
Many subway passengers including the newscasters from Channel
3 complained about the broken down subway--it went out of service
from 5am to 7:20am.
MRTA said this is due to a leak in fire extinguisher in the subway
tunnel so the power supply had to be shut down to repair the tube
while closing traffic from Hua Lamphong to Lumphinee and running
the system only one way.
Subway passengers short of target
- translated and summarized from Dailynews,
September 11, 2004
BMCL told the press that after introducing the first year rate,
the number of passenger is down to an average 150,000 passengers
a day from the target of 240,000 even though the revenue is slightly
down since the passengers generally go a long way (average about
20 baht/trip).
The reason for the lower number of passengers is that many still
have no clue at about about the subway route as well as the gate
to go out. More PR effort is in need. Furthermore, many passengers
turn to the 300 baht smart card (deposit 50 baht and actually
rides 250 baht). The ratio between smart card to token is 40:60
compared to 30:70 in the early days of the subway. Even so, BMCL
will make a PR effort to strongly encourage passengers to use
smart cards which can be used for more than five years without
replacement.
The new promotion will come out of BMCL to boost the number of
passengers, but it needs the approval from the Board of Directors.
[Comment and criticism about Subway can be seen here.]
Maintaining the subway/Why few handgrips?/How
many sets running? - translated and summarized
from Manager
Daily, August 21, 2004
BMCL said the maintenance center service has to be separated from
BMCL since the subway maintenance requires special skills from experts.
So far, BMCL has to pay Siemens (Thailand) 800,000 baht a day for
10 years to keep the subway rolling stock well-maintained--according
to the contract with Siemens. Siemens has to keep a close watch
on the spare part procurement to prevent fraud from poor quality
spare parts supplied by crooked suppliers.
The major overhaul of subway rolling stock will come on the 6th-7th
year of services.
Furthermore BMCL has made four seven-year contracts to keep the
system well-functioned:
1) Northern tunnels and stations: Wire & Wireless
2) Southern tunnels and stations: Taing Hong Silom
3) Escalators & elevators: Worachak International
4) Huay Kwang Depot: Ch. Karnchang PCL
If the subway system goes out of order, it must be fixed in 5 minutes
while the turnstile have to be repaired in 30 minutes. Spare instruments
must be ready to replace the broken one. The fine for any delay
is 10% of the contract price.
There are 18 subway sets running while one set is a spare (from
total 19 sets). Each day, the subway must run 9000 km (450 trips
- for the case of 3 minute 45 second headway).
BMCL has 50 maintenance officers while Siemens has supplied 180
maintenance officers and the rest (from 400 maintenance officer)
are dealing with the structure. Those maintenance center must stay
inside the stations and subway sets to be ready for any emergency.
All the screen doors (12 in each station) open a total 400,000 times
a day and they are allowed to go out of order only less than 40
times a day.
Broken aircon is a major complain from subway passengers.
There is a reason why BMCL is asking Siemens not to install overhead
handles near the doors of the subway cars. BTS has told BMCL that
many Skytrain passengers have a bad habit to stand around the Skytrain
doors instead of going inside--a bad habit they kept from riding
BMTA buses. Therefore, BMCL is asking Siemens not to install any
hand rails at the Subway doors.
Sukhumvit Station has the most passenger (40,000 passengers a day),
followed by Silom, Phaholyothin, and Lad Phrao respectively.
Monday has the least passengers for the subway (180,000 passengers
a day) and it will climb up on Tuesday (nearly 200,000 passengers
a day) and Friday has the most passengers (240,000 passengers a
day) during weekdays.
On weekends, Chatuchak Station will have the largest number of passengers
followed by Lad Phrao, Kamphaengphet, and Queen Sirikit Center.
BTS (Skytrain) carries 300,000 passengers a day while BMCL carry
200,000 passengers a day and BTS has an additional 5-6000 passengers
from the subway at Sukhumvit Station.
BTSC and BMCL will eventually have to come up with a joint Smart
Card ticket which can be used for both systems, but both companies
have to negotiate with their creditors first. This is very critical
for BTS since it is required to change the ticket system from the
magnetic version to Smart Card system.
Subway has already come up with 5 headway for each period of the
day:
1. 6am-9am: 18 set with 3 minute 45 seconds headway (rush hour)
2. 9am-4:30pm: 14 sets with 5 minute headway (non rush hour)
3. 4:30pm-7:30pm: 18 set with 3 minute 45 seconds headway (rush
hour)
4. 7:30pm-9:00pm: 14 sets with 5 minute headway (non rush hour)
5. 9pm-midnight: 10 sets with 7 minute headway (late night)
MRTA donating 89.5 million baht to Their Majesties
- MOTC talking with BMCL to come up with discounts
- translated and summarized from Manager
Daily, August 17, 2004
MRTA is going to donate 89.5 million baht gained during the special
period of the subway opening (July 3 - August 12 which offered a
10 baht flat rate) to Their Majesties. The statistics during this
period are:
Average number of daily passengers: 200,000 passengers (weekdays)/250,000
passengers (weekends)
Average revenue - 2 million baht a day
The maximum number of passengers: July 10, 2004 -> 262,794 passengers
The minimum number of passengers: July 3, 2004 (7:19am - 11pm) ->
45,112 passengers
Total Revenue -> 89,572,892 baht
The first year rate of 12-31 baht/trip and the regular rate of 14-36
baht/trip will result in a 50% decrease in the number of passengers.
Therefore, MOTC is going to ask BMCL to come up with a discount
offered to frequent passengers to create an incentive to use the
Subway since the price hike has a detrimental effect on the number
of passengers. The 10 baht-flat rate has generated daily revenue
of 2 million baht.
MRTA is also speeding up the bidding plan for massive expansion
so as to start new construction by the end of July 2005.
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|
Alternate
subway car design and stamps - August
14, 2004 Above is a rendering of a Mitsubishi-Alstrom version of the subway (Siemens eventually ended up making the cars) in front of Wat Arun. Right is a Malaysian stamp honoring the KL light rail trains. We wonder when mass transit will appear on a Thai stamp. UPDATE: There is a Thai subway stamp that was released on August 12 (below). They are being sold at the subway part and ride at the Lat Prae Station. UPDATE: About the subway stamp here. |
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(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Passengers plummet turning
busy Silom Station into a ghost station -
translated and summarized from Manager Daily,
August 13, 2004
After the subway fare hike to 12 to 31 baht, the number passengers
plummeted. Even busy Silom Station has become virtually a ghost
station.
MRTA Governor told the press that the actual impact after the fare
hike will take a about a month to be seen due to the long weekend.
However, MRTA has already predicted that the number of passenger
will decrease by 20%
After the test run period (July 3-August 12), the average daily
number of passengers is about 250,000 passengers a day - 200,000
passengers on the weekdays and 240,000-260000 passengers during
the weekends.
Thai-language forums &
the subway fare increase - August 14, 2004
Commentary on what's going on in Thai-language forums:
There is varied opinion about a subway fair
hike. Some cry foul since they got benefits from the cheap subway
fare while others say: "That's a good way to filter out those
bumpkins and slum dwellers from messing around in the Subway system."
Some said our BTS and Subway are really clean compared with the
dirty NY subway and they even point out the narrow mentalities of
those who give a baseless opinion that subways outside of Thailand
must be better even though it is actually not always the case.
Some also point out Seoul Subway (started in 1971 and expanded at
a very impressive rate - nearly rivaled the Tokyo subway in a very
short time) which has very fair ticket rates even though they did
not recognize that both companies which run the Seoul subway are
still deep in debt due to the decreasing numbers of those who live
in Seoul and the vicinity.
Therefore, the new railway lines and LRT to feed the Seoul Subway
systems are in demand along with a plan to merge both companies
to cut down the redundancy. This is despite strong protests from
the Subway Union which compels the government to ask the Armed Forces
to run the subway during the strikes.
Some even trade their own venomous opinions with one another - a
usually habit of Thai netters. Full opinions about Subway fair hike
can be seen here
and here.
In my opinion, BMCL better learn from BTSC by issuing the 1-day
pass, 3-day pass, 7-day pass and 30-day pass and coordinate with
BTSC about smart card system installation to tap more passengers
from BTSC who previously cannot go where the Subway goes (Bangsue,
Lad Phrao, Chatuchak Weekend Market, Phra Ram 9, Bangsue Railway
Station, Queen Sirikit center, Lumphinee etc etc). However, they
have to wait until the full rate has been applied to come up with
the new things.
All
quiet underground as subway prices go up -
TNA, August 13, 2004
Fears that the end of promotional pricing on Bangkok's new
underground train line would see a sudden drop in passenger numbers
were confirmed today, as passengers spurned the subway on the
first day of the new pricing regime.
The message from the public could not have been clearer: flat
fares of Bt10 were acceptable, while the new fare structure, with
an initial price of Bt12 plus Bt2 for each additional station,
were not...
Subway ticket price controversy
- August 12, 2004
[Ed.: We suspected this was going to happen...]
Subway company
refuses to keep down ticket prices - TNA, August 11, 2004
A bitter row has developed between the Mass Rapid Transit Authority
of Thailand (MRTA) and the company responsible for running Bangkoks
new underground train system, with the latter refusing to keep
fares stable at Bt10 until the current oil crisis eases.
During talks yesterday with MRTA governor Praphas Chongsa-nguan,
Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL) CEO Sombat Kitchalak refused
to accede to requests to maintain the promotional flat fare of
Bt10, remaining adamant that fares would rise after 12 August.
The fare increases will mean an initial fare of Bt12, with Bt2
for each additional stop.
Mr. Sombat noted that the fare increases were laid out in the
contract between the MRTA and BMCL, and that the fares already
represented a 15 percent cut on the fares that will be introduced
after the first year of operation.
Stressing that the government was heavily subsidising the promotional
fares, he said that BMCL already has operational costs of around
Bt4 million per day.
However, his insistence was countered by Mr. Praphass warning
that the fare rise on 12 August would lead to a sharp drop in
the 200,000 people currently using the service on an average day,
with passenger numbers down by as much as 20 percent.
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Air quality sampling unit
- July 31, 2004
Air quality sampling unit at Suthisarn Station (right). An earlier
photo of one of the units at a Skytrain station.
Too few subway passengers
- translated and summarized from Siam Turakij,
August 1-7, 2004
[As usual, the columnists in Siam Turakij
are bashing the subway.]
MRTA is surveying areas around Bangkok, Thonburi
and Nonthaburi for new subway lines - translated
and summarized from Manager Daily, July
27, 2004
MRTA is surveying the areas for three new lines and extensions:
1) Blue Ring - Blue Line (Hua Lamphong - Bang Khae, Bangsue - Charansanitwongse
- Tha Phra)
1.1) Blue Line - 14 km (5 km underground and 9 km elevated) - 10
stations passing Charoen Krung, Yaowaraj, Wang Boorapha , Wat Pho,
Pakklong Talad, Bangkok Yai, Phetkasem and Bang Khae
1.2) Blue Ring - 13 km all elevated (Bangsue - Charansnitwongse
- Tha Phra) 7 stations passing to Bangsue, Pracharat, Charangsanitwongse,
Tha Phra
2) Orange Line (Bang Kapi - Bang Bumru) -24 km - 21 km underground
and 3 km elevated 17 stations passing Bang Kapi, Lum Salee, Ramkhamhaeng,
Din Daeng, Victory Monument, Dusit Zoo, Sam Sen, Krungthon Bridge,
and Bang Bumru
3) Purple Line (Bangyai - Ratboorana) - 40 km - 14 km underground
and 26 km elevated - 30 stations passing Bang Yai, Rattnathibet,
Phra Nanaklao Bridge, Kae Rai, Wongsawang, Tao Poon, Kiakkai, Sri
Yan, Samsen, National Library, Bang Lumphoo, Phan Fah, Wang Boorapha,
Wongwian Yai, Maihaisawan, Ratboorna.
Bashing the subway -
July 21, 2004
Bloomberg has a pessimistic report on the Bangkok subway. It starts
with a bit of lobbying from Paul Anderson, the COO of the Skytrain
who hints that an extension of the mass transit system is necessary.
The writer of the article apparently does not realize this is all
a part of the Skytrain people fighting to keep control of the company
as the government prevents them
from extending the system.
Bangkok goes nowhere, faster - New subway fails to ease traffic
jams as car sales burgeon - online
- print,
Bloomberg News, July 20, 2004
Bangkok's new $3.5 billion subway system will do little to ease
traffic jams that increase fuel costs and create some of the world's
worst air pollution, says Paul Anderson, who helps run the Thai
capital's other mass-transit rail network.
"A 40-kilometer mass rapid transit system won't be of much
help in a city that needs 300 kilometers," or about 186 miles,
said Anderson, chief operating officer at Bangkok Mass Transit,
which opened an elevated railway in 1999. "The number of car
trips has been growing rapidly because of economic prosperity, so
anything we remove is quickly replaced."...
Thai stories and web comments
- July 21, 2004
Wisarut reports on what's going on in Thai-language forums:
Subway glitches
Some complain about the subway glitches since the have very high
expectations, but others comment that even the Paris Metro has glitches...
so it is normal (here,
here,
and here).
Details of the subway breakdown
- July 19, 2004
Wisarut reports: BMCL-MRTA have fixed the broken signal and reopened
Hua Lamphong and Sam Yan Stations at 6am on Saturday. I could see
many passengers storming the subway stations as usual.
Another glitch was the loosened screws for the steel handles for
Train No 1015, but this was fixed quickly. Probably due to either
the rush of production as well as the sardine-canned passengers
pulling the steel handing so often due to the shortage of handles
available.
The opinions about the subway glitches (in Thai) are here,
here,
and here.
From the Bangkok Post: Subway
suffers breakdown - Electrical fault, passengers safe - July
18, 2004
Bangkok's new subway system suffered its first breakdown on Friday
when services between Hua Lamphong and Sam Yan stations were halted
because of electrical failure...
"Three pieces of electric energy control equipment short-circuited,
stopping the rail switching system from functioning," said
Mr Prapas. "The train made an emergency stop at the nearest
station as it was programmed to do so for the safety of the passengers."
The search for the electrical fault took around three hours, proving
that the train's control mechanism was not to blame. At no time
was public safety compromised because of the electrical failure,
he said...
Also: Cute
college students from Chulalongkorn U. on the subway (in Thai)
BMTA can smile--more revenue from subway feeder
bus lines compensate any losses - translated
and summarized from Manager Daily, July
14, 2004
After an investigation, BMTA found that even though the Subway has
cut daily revenue from BMTA Bus line 136 (passing 12 subway stations)
by 55,483 baht a day and Line 185 (passing 9 subway stations) by
21,834 baht a day, BMTA actually got 193,785 baht from the 18 subway
feeder bus lines to 7 subway stations and 18 BMTA bus lines which
pass subway stations. This has prompted BMTA to add more feeder
bus lines directly to subway stations and boost revenue to BMTA.
Commentary: That is a good sign that BMTA has
readjusted itself to live with the Subway. However, they have never
readjusted for the Skytrain. Probably they will readjust once BTSC
and BMCL have been merged into a single operator.
Subway revenue in 10 days reaches 20 million
baht - translated and summarized from Manager Daily, July 13, 2004
Revenue from the first 10 days of the subway is reaching 20 million
baht, with the target revenue on August 12 of 70 million baht. The
daily average number of passengers is about 200,000 while the first
week has the average number of passengers at 250,000 a day. All
the revenue will be donated to Her Majesty for Royal Projects for
the 72-year anniversary of Her Majesty. However, MRTA expects that
the daily revenue will be down by 10-20% after the first year rates
have been applied.
MRTA is going to improve the directional signs to make them more
clear to the public and six additional TVMs will be installed for
those single fare riders at Hua Lamphong station so as to deal with
the rush-hour periods without problems.
MRTA insisting that the automatic door problems
are not a big deal - translated and summarized from Manager Daily, July 13, 2004
After 3 weeks of service, MRTA found some problems in the sensors
in the automatic doors which have to open and close 70,000 times
a day for each set, and thus sensors can break down causing 1-2
minute delays. MRTA has asked Siemens (Thailand) to repair the damaged
sensors. This is considered a minor problem and no harm to safety.
So far, the average daily passengers is 190,000 a day during weekdays
while the number of daily passengers has shot up to more than 200,000
a day during weekends.
Saigon vs Bangkok undergrounds
The comment about Saigon's underground LRT while criticizing heavy rail Bangkok Subway has drawn much criticism even though those cynics still thought that many people involved with the Bangkok Subway are very corrupt.
SRT criticized
Even though Railway gets more profit, they still under heavy criticism for slow and poor services.
Subway investment
Criticism of the government for not having full commitment to Subway expansion investment.
Thousands of subway posts
Thousands of Thai netters at travel page of Sanook.com have made comments and criticism on the new Bangkok Subway system:
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07661.php
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07662.php
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07663.php
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07664.php
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07665.php
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07666.php
http://travel.sanook.com/trip/trip_07667.php
Bangkok
mass transit perspective - UPI, July 6, 2004
A reader points out this article with some interesting perspective
on setting up mass transit in a big city and the consequences:
...This time there is only one line, which runs for a total of 21
kilometers on a broadly north-south axis, intersects with its older
colleague/competitor at three points along the way. (Don't, though,
expect to get from one to the other during the rainy season without
a good soaking. Co-ordination is not among Thailand's most obvious
talents.)
...Ever since January this year the Thai government has been subsidizing
gasoline and (especially) diesel prices, at rates below $0.50/litre.
The cumulative subsidy is now approaching $500 million. The result
is that fuel efficiency is not a high priority in the mind of the
average Thai driver.
Even more damaging to the prospects of mass-transit systems, perhaps,
is the fact that congestion costs are not always high. Economists
stress that the costs of traffic jams are not mainly in the fuel
being burned to no good effect, but in the valuable time being wasted.
If a businessman can only schedule two meetings a day, because he
can't be sure whether it will take 15 minutes or two hours to get
between appointments, his eight hour day is effectively cut to two.
His productivity has been slashed.
That is as true in Bangkok as anywhere else -- but there is also
a large floating population of workers who are paid at or near the
legal minimum, whose time is (at least to their employers) dirt
cheap. The least-skilled workers employed to dig the tunnels the
new trains will use were paid just over $3 per day. At that rate,
saving an hour's travel is worth only 40 cents. Although the subway's
first-year concessionary pricing will make it just about competitive
on that basis, it certainly isn't a sure-fire economic winner...
The second is often overlooked by the fans of public transport.
In Europe, especially, road-building plans are often opposed on
the grounds that making more roads makes more traffic. Build more
roads, and you make it easier to get around. Make it easier to get
around, and you encourage the demand for, and use of, cars. Which
leads to more congestion, more demand for more roads, and so on.
True enough -- but much the same thing applies to public transport.
Make it easier to get around the big city, and the city becomes
a more attractive place to live and work. Some modern cities, with
London a prime example, owe their shape today to the railway-building
of the 19th century. There is no reason to believe that Bangkok
will be any exception to the simple rule...
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Madhouse at Hua Lamphong
- July 10, 2004
Excited crowds continue to pack Hua Lamphong Subway Station.
Above is a photo from early Saturday morning as perhaps 500
people are lined up to buy tickets. Subway staff are trying
to direct the crowds with bullhorns. Practically every elderly
person is getting caught in the ticketing gates going in and
out requiring assistance from the harried gate staff.
How do we know MRTA reads 2Bangkok.com? - July 10, 2004
Japanese-language Bangkok subway sites
- July 10, 2004
Wisarut mined the web and found these Japanese language sites
covering the Bangkok Subway:
Made
in Thailand METRO page - New
Thailand
Diary
in Bangkok - Bangkok
rail projects
Bangkok
subway map - Eyewitness
account of the subway opening
Stunning success for the subway - 7 million baht in 5 days - Ban Muang Daily, July 8, 2004
BMTA has revenue squeezed - Public Relations Department info posted on MThai, July 8, 2004
Stunning success for the Subway - 250,000 passengers in a single day - Prachachart Thurakij, July 7, 2004
Central Pattana to dig 500-meter tunnel to the subway - SRT cooperating with MRTA to modernize Bangsue Junction - Prachachart Thurakij, July 7-10, 2004
No further symbols for the rest of the stations - July 9, 2004
Questions on
the subway photo ban and Skytrain ridership
- July 9, 2004
Reiner writes: What do we know about the alleged ban on photography?
I am sure, many people are taking photos, and I intend to do so.
Are we all going to help increasing Bangkok's prison population?
One other thing that should raise concern is the effect on BTS of
the 10-Baht flat fare. How fast is the Skytrain losing passengers,
particularly between Asok and Mor Chit, and Asok/Silom-Saladaeng.
Do you have any estimate or data? Is BTS taking laying down what
surely must affect their economies?
Wisarut responds: According to regulations published in Royal
Gazette, photography in Subway stations is actually restricted for
security reasons. You have to get the permission from Subway officers
to take a photo.
However, the Embassy of Japan has submitted a request to make a
strict prohibition on taking photographs in the Phetburi Station
because this station is too close to the Embassy of Japan. You see
lots of police as well as subway security around the Embassy of
Japan and in Phetburi Station and on Mitsamphan Bridge across Saen
Saeb Canal.
After the Airport Link becomes a reality, the security at the new
Makasan station (the main terminal for both Airport Express and
Airport Link) may have to be tightened to the highest level possible.
So far, passengers who go in and go out of Saladaeng Skytrain Station
has decreased since those passengers have turned to the Subway and
exit at Silom Station instead.
On the other hand more passenger have been going in and out of Asok
Skytrain Station due to much more convenient interchanges with Sukhumvit
Subway Station. The same scenario (Asok/Sukhumvit) can be applied
to Mochit/Chatuchak station.
Now, the number of Skytrain passengers is around 350,000-400,000
a day, but on July 4 the number of passengers dropped to 230,000
while the Subway have got 250,000 passengers that day. Therefore
it is urgent for the Skytrain to construct the Samrong Extension
(along with the Paknam extension) and the Taksin
extension (along with Phetkasem extension) to double the number
of passengers--especially after MRTA-BMCL introduces the 30-day
passes to compete with the BTSC Skytrain.
However, BTSC is going construct elevators and escalators to connect
Asok Station with Sukhumvit Station while BMA/MRTA are working on
a viaduct to connect
Saladaeng with Silom Station. The viaduct to Central World,
Major Ekkamai and other commercial buildings and shopping malls
will also help them reach the target.
Central Patana is asking SRT (their landlord) to allow the construction
of a Subway viaduct (a Gate number 6) to link Central Plaza with
Phaholyothin Station. Other companies are also trying to connect
their buildings with Subway stations.
BMTA shocked! Subway sucking away almost all passengers from Ratchadaphisek Road busses - Thaipost, July 7, 2004
Crimes inside subway stations - Hoarding subway tokens - Sexual harassment - Thairath, July 7, 2004
(Photo: 2Bangkok.com)
Above: Supplementary signs describing where
the numbered exits lead were put up in front of exit gates after
passengers complained the existing signs were inadequate.
Passengers still storming the subway - Hoarding subway tokens - New passenger numbers - Khaosod, Thairath, & Dailynews, July 6, 2004
Connections to the Subway and Skytrain - July 7, 2004
Storming the Subway - Manager Daily, July 5, 2004
The Thai-language forums and the subway - July 7, 2004
Questions HM The King asked the
PM at the subway ceremony - translated
and summarized from Khao Sod, July 4,
2004
During the Royal Inspection, His Majesty asked Premier Thaksin and
MRTA Governor a few questions:
1) Rails to the New City at Banna
HM: Is the new line to be extended to the New City at Banna?
PM: Yes, Your Majesty. [HM means the Airport Link and Red Line Commuter]
2) Mobile phones inside the subway
HM: Are mobile phones going to interrupt the subway system?
MRTA Governor: No Your Majesty, mobile phones won't interrupt this
system even though they might have some effects on the starting
system inside the subway rolling stock.
3) New systems done in 6 years
HM: Is the Subway-Skytrain system to be extended and done in 6 years?
PM: Yes, your majesty, we'll finish the jobs in 6 years.
After pressing the button to mark the official opening of the Bangkok
subway system at 7:19pm, His Majesty said to Premier Thaksin, Minister
Suriya and MRTA Governor Praphat that "You have to expand the
subway system very quickly!"
A very concise yet powerful message indeed!
Subway ridership figures & various notes - July 6, 2004
Confusion,
fun reign on subway - The Nation, July
6, 2004
...Many others were stunned to learn that if they want to go
shopping at Chatuchak market, they have to get off at Kamphaeng
Phet station - not Chatuchak station, which is a long walk from
the market.
Passengers emerging from Lat Phrao station were similarly surprised
to find they were not near Central Lat Phrao shopping plaza, for
which they would need to alight at Phaholyothin station.
...Prapat said the number of passengers over the weekend was about
300,000, with more than 100,000 using the service yesterday.
"But we are aware that this number won't reflect the actual
number of commuters as we are still offering the promotional fare,"
he said.
... Mr Prapat said the signs lacked detail as the subway's main objective was to move people from the platform as quickly as possible. Other countries also followed the same guidelines and passengers could check details of directions which were placed on the upper floor away from the train platform at each station, he said.
Sompho Sriphum, operations director of BMCL, said his firm would improve direction signs by adding details of exits and enlarging the letters.
" We have to accept that Thais are not accustomed to reading signs. Like subway systems in other countries, large signs will show only the exit and more details of the exit will be shown at other locations,'' he said.
Subway
chaos - Bangkok Post, July 5,
2004
Huge crowds rush to try subway... Passengers jostle for space,
trains delayed...
...Most flocked to Hua Lamphong and Bang Sue, the first and last
stations, where enthusiastic travellers were forced to wait in the
crowds for two or three trains to pass before they could squeeze
aboard.
..."It's really crowded. Two trains have passed and I still
can't get on,'' said one passenger at Hua Lamphong station...
An officer at Hua Lamphong station said the 10-baht fee had attracted
too many people. Instead of leaving the station after reaching their
destination, many people continued riding, taking several trips
back and forth.
Thread of the forum > Eyewitness accounts of the subway opening
First-day
subway ride - July 3, 2004
"Thunderbolt"
statement from His Majesty asking to expand the subway system quickly
- translated and summarized from Manager,
July 4, 2004
After pressing the button (photo)
to mark the official opening of the Bangkok Subway System, His Majesty
told Premier Thaksin, Minister Suriya and MRTA Governor Praphat,
"You have to expand the Subway System very quickly!" A
concise yet powerful message indeed!
7:14pm, July
3, 2004 - The subway is OPEN!
Drinking, spitting and photography in the subway prohibited - Thairath, July 3, 2004
Updated
list of subway feeder busses and vans
- Thairath, July 2, 2004 & Dailynews, July 2, 2004
MRTA-BMCL ready for official subway
opening - translated and summarized from Matichon, July 1, 2004 & Manager Daily,
July 1, 2004
MRTA and BMCL are preparing for the official subway opening by making
a rehearsal of the Royal Visit on July 1--with representatives from
the Royal Households, Royal Guard Units, and Royal Physicians to prepare
the ceremony. MRTA will also have security from the Royal Thai Police
and Royal Guard units.
There will be 900 invited guests including ambassadors from Germany,
Austria, Japan, the Privy Council, the cabinet, the Director of JBIC,
contractors, consultants, and officers from related agencies. However,
Hua Lamphong Station can handle only 300 invited guests at a time.
Therefore, MRTA has to relocate the other 600 guests to the Thailand
Cultural Center Station which can carry 500 guests. There will be
live broadcasting by the TV pool.
Subway tickets to be sold at 6pm on July 3
- translated and summarized from Thairath,
July 1, 2004
MRTA and BMCL are going to open the stations for the people at 6pm
on July 3. The first set of cars will come out of Huay Kwang Depot
after the Royal Visit for the Official Ceremony at the Depot at 7pm.
This will be the first sign that the government is serious about energy
saving by encouraging rail usage.
To use tokens, you have to pay 10 baht and then touch the token to
the reader. When you are going out, you have to deposit the token
into the turnstiles. This rate will be in effect from July 3 to August
12. After that, the first year rate will be applied. Children younger
than 12 ( height 3-4 feet) and those older than 65 will get half price
while children smaller than 3 feet will ride free. The estimated daily
passengers will be 200,000 a day for the period from July 3 to August
12. The first year rate will last from August 13 to July 3, 2005.
After that, full rate will be applied.
To use Smart Cards, you have to pay 300 baht (50 baht for deposit
and 250 baht for the ticket) and then you just touch the cards on
the readers on turnstiles. When you run out of money, you can refill
the card.