Skytrain general updates: Taksin station issue

[Wisarut]

4 Skywalk via Ducts connecting with BTS Skytrain:

Prachachat Thurakij
Page 9 17 Jan 2011

4 via Skywalk ducts connected with BTS skytrain stations with total distance of 16.96 km and 4246 million Baht including

1. 0.425 km via duct connecting Wongwian Yai eailwya station and Wongwian Yai Skytrain station + park & ride with a price tag of 254.8 Million Baht - BMA askign STECON to construct this via duct as a part of Taksin - Bang Wah extension.

2. 12.085 km via duct connecting Nana station all the way to Bearing station with a price tag of 2577 Million Baht with 3 sections:

2.1 Nana - Onnut -> 3.780 km & a price tag of 643 million Baht

2.2 Onnut - Punnawithee -> 3.251 km & a price tag of 630 million Baht

2.3 Punnawithee - Bearing -> 4.054 km & a price tag of 740 million Baht


3. Paholyothin from Victory Monument to Pathumwan Intersection -> 3.1 km a price tag of 932.4 million Baht

4. Ram Khamhaeng from Ram Khamhaeng University to Rajamangla Stadium -> 1.35 km & a price tag of 481 million Baht

48 buildings can connect 4 BMA via ducts. Now BMA is askign STECON to construct the via duct wogn Wongwian Yai railway station, while the other 3 would need loan form Government Saving Bank (GSB) & Krungthai Bank (KTB) or private sectors including BTSC to deal with this project

BMA also asking 10 million Baht from the owners of each bulign alogn the via duct as a payment to make a connection.

At least 7 buiding owners out of 48 buildings along Nana - Bearing are asking BMA to make a connection

This Skywalk project would give the additional value for BTS Skytrain on both 5.25 km Bearing extension & 5.3 km Bang Wah extension to be done at 5 Dec 2012 - just in time the fist term of BMA Governor is finished in Jan 2013.

BMA also planning for a monorail from Thong Lor, Ekkamai-Ramindra road - Hua Mark stadium. This via duct would give an ample vote booster for the second term.


http://www.prachachat.net/view_news....day=2011-01-17

[gwmss15]

Its great to see a sky walk linking the BTS at Wong Wien Yai and the SRT station at Wong Wien Yai.

However has anyone considered this will increase demand for mahachai line services which are already struggling to cope with demand throughout the entire morning peak ie 5.30am train untill the 8am train all packed out untill cannot get in the door after wat sing station.

Will the mahachai line finally get some extra rolling stock and more loops to cross trains in the other direction so a 15 to 20 min headway using 4 car sets at peak would be possible.

the opening of the sky bridge will help increase demand greatly on the mahachai line as it saves something like 90 mins in traveling time to siam

[Wisarut]

Will the mahachai line finally get some extra rolling stock and more loops to cross trains in the other direction so a 15 to 20 min headway using 4 car sets at peak would be possible.

the opening of the sky bridge will help increase demand greatly on the mahachai line as it saves something like 90 mins in traveling time to siam

Well, the shortage of servicable DMUs has hampered the attempt to increase capacity ... Now, some of the old rolling stocks form Mahachai such as the one commissioned in 1971 have been converted into Bogie Third Class for the main line.

BTW, there are already tugs of war to get the DMU to run the local trains. ... Many Loco Depot want to revived the good old local trains including:

1. Lampang Loco Dept want to revive Lampang - Chiang Mai, Phitsanuloke - Lampang as DMU

2. Kaeng Khoi Depot demands 25 sets of 2-car formation DMU and got 6 sets

3. Chumporn Depot want to revive Phetburi - Chumporn & Chumporn Nakhong Srithammaraj as DMU

4. Thungsong Depot want to run Thungsong - Kantang on Kantang route as a feeder alogn with the cargo to feed the new Kantang Port.

Better wait and see after the real oepoing of red line commuter wheter SRT could have any spare DMU sets to be transferred to Mahachai Depot then.

[The Enforcer!]

4 Skywalk via Ducts connecting with BTS Skytrain:

Prachachat Thurakij
Page 9 17 Jan 2011

4 via Skywalk ducts connected with BTS skytrain stations with total distance of 16.96 km and 4246 million Baht including

Nothing on Chong Nonsi to Lumphini?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

^^^
Wait unil the first 4 via duct done and the new via duct between Lumphini and Chong Nonsee will be under serious consideration again.

[gwmss15]

Re the DMU rolling stock shortage throughout the SRT system.

Is SRT willing to purchase quality secondhand DMUs from other cities.

If so over the next few years a number of ex adelaide metro aircon DMU sets will be phased out and an offer might be possible to buy them and get them shipped over to thailand for use on mahachai line and other commuter lines.

These DMU sets are fully airconditioned produced by Comeng group in the 1980s but still in good working order. The only issues i can see are

1. steps would need to be cut in to allow ground level access that is common SRT stations. There current doors are for BTS style platforms.

2. the other issue which is a big one. Is they where built for 1600mm guage track which will possibility make them too wide to fit the track and also the structure clearance could be an issue especially with the mahachai line.

Careful measurement at many locations would be needed around the SRT network to insure they can run without hitting anything on platforms or signals or trackside structures ie buildings.

The other place that might have viable DMUs is japan as they renew there trains quite often older rolling stock might be avaliable for purchase from there and with 1076 mm track on parts of there system less hassle to reguage to 1000mm.

The only other choice SRT has is to build there own DMUs from scratch somewhere in thailand. Might need outside (non thai) technical help to get it off the ground. Probably more costly but an unlimited number can be made for SRT thus lifting the limits on passenger train growth.

[Wisarut]

^^^
From the hard lesson learnt from Kiha 58 (commissioned between 1998 - 2002), it required to be repowered with the engine the current SRT men felt familiar with since Kiha 58 were using the older "head burning" diesel engines whcih SRT men who know how to handle this old type of diesel engines (used during 1970's - with the design suitable for the relatively colder weather in Japan) already retired long time ago.

[Wisarut]

After the argument with Auditor General, BMA has come up with the first via duct, the 100 percent private funded via duct from Rajprasong Intersection to Platinum Mall in Pratunam area with the distance of 500 meter and the width of 4-6 meter as a part of Bangkok Skyline ... with the hope that it will eb done by the end of 2012 - the end of term for Governor Sukhumbhan Boriphat.

They have consult with archeteches to come upo with the right design for this new via duct

http://www.thairath.co.th/content/region/202114

[Yappofloyd]

Seriously, this would be an absolutely stupid idea. Demolish Sapan Taksin station and have no river station at all on either side of the river! Can anyway really propose that passengers walk 1km from the river precinct to Surasak?!! Even with travelators/moving walkway, not escalators as mentioned in the article, it is still an unrealistic distance for people to get access to the line.

It seems that it would be possible build a city bound platform just east of Charoen Krung rd which can be linked to the current station concourse under the viaduct via an extended concourse link. The WWY bound platform could then be extended in length and slightly expanded while the part of the station currently built upon the WWY line could be demolished. It would leave a much narrower yet longer platform but with well designed movement controls plus the installation of platform barrier, it would ensure a safe and suitable platform zone.

BMA may demolish BTS Taksin Station for faster service BANGKOK, 17 May 2012 (NNT)
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is considering demolishing the structure of Taksin Station in order to eliminate the current rail bottleneck problem, which has been hindering the service.

According to the BMA’s Traffic and Transportation Department, the opening of the BTS extension line from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa, which is slated to be fully operational in August 2013, will increase the daily number of commuters by 500,000. In a bid to accommodate the expected increase in passenger number, the department has drawn up a plan on the demolition of Taksin Station, originally designed to be a temporary station, with an aim to resolve the rail bottleneck in the area and speed up the service.

If the plan is executed, a skywalk would be built in place of the station. The 1-kilometer long skywalk is expected to be equipped with a series of escalators, connecting Surasak Station with the Sathorn river pier.

The construction of the skywalk is estimated to cost over 600 million baht. The removal of Taksin Station’s existing structure and the new railway construction are expected to take up another 77 million baht. The plan has been proposed to BMA executives for consideration.

[The Enforcer!]

The 1-kilometer long skywalk is expected to be equipped with a series of escalators, connecting Surasak Station with the Sathorn river pier

Why not build walk-ways under the whole length of the skytrain so we can all save fares and keep fit?

The Enforcer!

[Yappofloyd]

The previous plan was to re engineer the east bound lanes of Taksin by widening the bridge north thus allowing space to build a platform over what is currently the right lane. It would be an expensive solution. There is an article and render from 2010 someone, I'll see if I can find it.

[Wisarut]

Since widening Saphan Taksin Bridge is a multi billion Baht question, BMA is opting for the cheaper solution - Demolishing Saphan Taksin station and build the double track from Surasak all the way to Krung Thonburi with the price tag of 700 million Baht and the skywalk from Surasak station all the way to Taksin Pier with a price tag of 100 Million Baht - BMA can authorize this project without asking the government.

Te projection mentioned above must be done before opening section to Bang Wah on 12 August 2013 ... after opening Phonimit station and Talad Ploo station on 12 August 2012.

http://www.prachachat.net/news_detai...&subcatid=0700

[The Enforcer!]

Since widening Saphan Taksin Bridge is a multi billion Baht question, BMA is opting for the cheaper solution - Demolishing Saphan Taksin station and build the double track from Surasak all the way to Krung Thonburi with the price tag of 700 million Baht and the skywalk from Surasak station all the way to Taksin Pier with a price tag of 100 Million Baht - BMA can authorize this project without asking the government.

Te projection mentioned above must be done before opening section to Bang Wah on 12 August 2013 ... after opening Phonimit station and Talad Ploo station on 12 August 2012.

http://www.prachachat.net/news_detai...&subcatid=0700

Now covered in today's Nation ..... http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nati...-30183268.html

The Enforcer!

[Yappofloyd]

I love the discrepancy in pax numbers between both papers, according to The Nation it is 4000 a day yet in the Bkk Post it is 50 000-70 000 a day! One would think that the lower figure in the Post is much more accurate. Also, a poorly worded headline for the Post which gives the impression that demolition work has already started.

SKYTRAIN: BMA to close Saphan Taksin station to ease bottleneck by Thanatpong Kongsai, The Nation, 01/06/12
BANGKOK: -- The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is planning to close down the Saphan Taksin Skytrain station in order to ease the bottleneck over its stretch across the Chao Phraya River. "The BTSC has agreed to cooperate," Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said yesterday. He unveiled the plan at a time when the BMA decision to award a Bt190billion contract to BTSC, the current operator of the Skytrain system, via Krungthep Thanakom (KT) is under intense scrutiny. KT is the legal investment arm of the city administration.

BTSC has a 30year concession for the original network of the Skytrain system, which has a combined length of 23.5 kilometres and 23 stations, including Saphan Taksin. Only after its concession expires in 2029, will all properties related to this original system belong to BMA. "BTSC has the right to not cooperate, but it is willing to help. This is a reason why we have been working closely with BTSC all along," Sukhumbhand said.

The Bangkok governor and the BMA have recently faced severe criticism as to why it awarded such a big contract to BTSC without holding a public bidding. Under the 30year contract, the BTSC will provide the operations and maintenance services for two Skytrain extension routes for 30 years in addition to another 13 years from 2029 for the original network. "We have to stick together because problems will sometimes arise and cooperation from the operator is needed for efficient solutions," Sukhumbhand said.

He said the Bangkok Council has already approved a budget of more than Bt670 million for installing an additional track on the area used by the Saphan Taksin Station, as well as constructing a 700metre Skywalk in addition to moving walkways for the convenience of passengers who will have to take the Skytrain from the Surasak Station instead. "We will ensure that commuters continue to enjoy convenience. With the Skywalk and moving walkways, it will only take them five minutes to get from the Saphan Taksin Station to Surasak Station," he said, adding that about 4,000 commuters used the Saphan Taksin Station daily.

While there are two train tracks for most stretches of the Skytrain system, the portion across the Chao Phraya has just one track due to limited space, thus causing a bottleneck. Sukhumbhand said that the BMA had initially sought permission from the Department of Rural Roads to expand the Taksin Bridge in order to make way for an additional track, but the department had said it was not possible. "To find space for the additional track on our own, we will have to use the area currently occupied by the Saphan Taksin Station," the Bangkok governor said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipiboon said the BMA would inform a BTSC coordination committee of the answer it had received from the Department of Rural Roads and present its plan to close down the Saphan Taksin Station. "After that, we will seek permission from the interior minister to go ahead with this plan," he said.

In a related development, the House committee on anticorruption yesterday invited representatives of the Sasin Management Consulting (SMC) and the Council of State to testify over the controversial BTSC contract. Led by Pheu Thai partylist MP Pol LtGeneral Wiroj Paoin, the committee is looking into allegations that the contract is mired with irregularities. KT hired SMC as a consulting firm earlier this year. SMC executive Thana Siriwallop explained that the scope of the consultancy contract did not cover the estimated figure of Bt6.4 billion, which BMA claims it will save from awarding the 30year contract to BTSC. "We have just looked at the proposal submitted by the BTSC to determine whether it is appropriate," Thana said, adding that KT had also hired other consulting firms before SMC stepped in early this year.

Chanis Klaisang from the Council of State said if a private company did not earn any other form of income from the contract apart from the money paid by the BMA, the contract would not fall under the PublicPrivate Partnerships Act. Pheu Thai MPs believe that the contract might be in violation of this act.

Taksin station removal begins, BKK Post, 01/06/2012
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.

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.


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

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.

[jpatokal]

Te projection mentioned above must be done before opening section to Bang Wah on 12 August 2013 ... after opening Phonimit station and Talad Ploo station on 12 August 2012.

12 Aug 2012? I thought the latest date was 5 Dec 2012?