Bangkok Skytrain

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Image:Skytrain Saladaeng.jpgBangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) or Skytrain (Thai: รถไฟฟ้า, rot fai fa, meaning "electric train") is the elevated metro system in Bangkok, Thailand, operated by Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) under a concession granted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). The Skytrain with 23 stations along 2 lines, was opened on December 5, 1999 by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The Sukhumvit line (light green) runs northwards and eastwards, terminating at Mo Chit and On Nut respectively; the Silom line (dark green) plies Silom and Sathon, the Central Business District of Bangkok, terminating at the National Stadium and the Taksin Bridge. The lines interchange at Siam station and have a combined route distance of 23 km. The Skytrain is formally known as the Elevated Train in Commemoration of HM the King's 6th Cycle Birthday (รถไฟฟ้าเฉลิมพระเกียรติ 6 รอบ พระชนมพรรษา) because it was opened to the public on HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 72nd birthday.

Bangkok also has a subway system called the MRT or unofficially the Metro.

1 History
2 Station Layout
3 Ticketing
4 Station list
- 4.1 Sukhumvit Line
- 4.2 Silom Line
5 Route Extension
6 External links

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History

The system was initially referred to as the Lavalin Skytrain because it was to be designed using the Vancouver SkyTrain as a model adopting the technology developed by SNC Lavalin. Due to 'political interference', the project was cancelled in 1992, in spite of Bangkok's chronic traffic congestion. The Thai Government focused on increasing road and expressway infrastructure in an attempt to combat congestion. However, this had less than the desired impact as the number of cars on the road increased dramatically.

In the early 1990s, foundations for the Lavalin Skytrain were constructed in the middle of two bridges spanning the Chao Phraya river. The Taksin bridge now supports the under-construction Silom line to Thon Buri, scheduled be completed by late 2006. The support at Phra Pokklao bridge remain unused but may be utilised as part of the MRT's future Purple Line.

Shortly after the cancellation of Lavalin Skytrain, then-governvor Major-General Chamlong Srimuang revived the project with a slightly different route and Siemens technology. The 'Skytrain' name was kept even though the portion of system through the historic Rattana Kosin island will be below grade.

Originally, the Skytrain depot was to be built below Lumphini Park, but due to widespread objections from Bangkok residents it was constructed on a parcel of land located along Phahon Yothin Road, replacing the old Northern/Northeastern bus terminal (Mo Chit). The current depot at Mo Chit is a part of the proposed 'Bangkok Terminal' project, where a large complex comprising a new regional bus terminal, park & ride facility and other commercial development can be built directly above it.

Thanayong Public Company Limited (Thai บริษัท ธนายง จำกัด (มหาชน)) had a 28.21% stake in BTSC when the Skytrain began, and therefore in its early days the system was sometimes referred to as the "Thanayong Skytrain".

The Skytrain initially had lower-than-predicted ridership, with 200,000 passenger trips per day. Ticket revenue was only enough to meet the trains' operating cost, and not sufficient to service construction loans. However, the Skytrain's daily passenger numbers have steadily increased since then. On December 9, 2005, more than 500,000 single trips were made on the Skytrain in a single day for the first time. BTSC is currently planning to purchase more trains and is studying the possibility of putting 6-car trains into service. The company will implement a contactless ticketing system in 2006, allowing both BTS and MRT passengers to use their RFID smart cards as joint tickets starting in 2007.

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Station Layout

Image:SaphanTaksinStation.jpg All the stations to the skytrain are elevated. The platforms are built to accommodate trains of 6 cars, but currently (2006) trains of only 3 cars are in operation. The first elevated level of the stations is accessed with stairs and often escalators, and contain the ticket booths, some small kiosk like shops and access control gates. The second level (and third at Siam station) is again accessed with stairs and escalators and contains the platforms and rails. Additionally, many stations are equipped with ramps and elevators which allow wheelchair-bound passengers to access the ticketing hall and platform from the street level. The distance between doors is equal throughout the train, regardless of whether they are in the same or different cars and the locations where the doors will be after the train has stopped are marked on the platform. For security and safety, security personnel are stationed at every platform and all ticketing halls.

Three Skytrain stations, Sala Daeng, Asok and Mo Chit, serve as interchanges with the MRT. Saphan Taksin station is connected to the adjacent Sathon pier where the all Chao Phraya Express Boat river services call. Many stations are linked by 'Skybridges' (overhead pedestrian walkways) to neighbouring buildings and public amenities.

Consumption of food or drink is forbidden.

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Ticketing

For single-trip and store-value ticket holders fares are calculated according to distance, but adult / student / tourist passes for limited / unlimited train rides are also available. Although it currently uses magnetic farecards, which require replacement once every 2 years, the Skytrain will be adopting RFID contactless technology in its ticketing system, similar to those presently being used in the MRT.

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Station list

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Sukhumvit Line

Image:Bangkok Sytrain Route Map.jpg

Mo Chit – interchange with the Metro (Chatuchak Park station), named for the old Mo Chit Bus Terminal
Saphan Khwai
Sena Ruam (planned)
Ari
Sanam Pao
Victory Monument (Anusawari Chai Samoraphum)
Phaya Thai – interchange with Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link (Light Red Line) in late 2007
Ratchathewi; named for the Ratchathewi district
Siam – interchange with Silom Line; named for its proximity to Siam Square; connects to Siam Paragon and Siam Center shopping complexes
Chit Lom – Erawan Shrine, Central World Plaza; bridge to Central Department Store
Phloen Chit – bridge to Wave Place
Nana
Asok – interchange the Metro (Sukhumvit station)
Phrom Phong – Benjasiri Park; bridge to The Emporium
Thong Lo – Japanese district; named for the Thong Lo street.
Ekkamai – Eastern Bus Terminal
Phra Khanong; named for the Phra Khanong district
On Nut – bridge to Tesco Lotus

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Silom Line

National Stadium (Suphachalasai Stadium สนามกีฬาศุภชลาศัย) – bridge to MBK Center, Siam Discovery Centre
Siam
Ratchadamri
Sala Daeng – interchange with the Metro (Si Lom station), bridge to Robinson
Chong Nonsi
Sueksa Witthaya (planned)
Surasak
Saphan Taksin – interchange with the Chao Phraya Express Boat (Sathon pier)
Charoen Nakhon (to be opened December 2006)
Wongwian Yai (to be opened December 2006)

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Route Extension

Image:System Map of Bangkok Rail Transit Network.jpg Image:Master Plan of Bangkok Transport System.jpg Planned extensions to the Skytrain remain stalled. The viaduct for the extension to Thonburi is complete, but no permission has been received to lay rails on the viaduct or to build stations, while the extension to Samut Prakan has not been able to start construction despite nearly 10 years of planning.

The Thai press has alleged that the ruling Thai Rak Thai party is intentionally obstructing progress, since the Skytrain is partly controlled by the opposition Democrat Party-linked Ch. Karnchang group and has refused government initiatives to be nationalized. [1]

Since 2002, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has requested the cabinet to amend a law in order to allow a private firm to finance the cost of operating the train system, while the government takes care of all the civil engineering works. The government has not responded to this request. Many accuse the government, controlled by Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Thai Rak Thai party, of stalling the Skytrain extentions in order to punish the BMA, which is controlled by the opposition Democrat Party, by doing so hoping to prevent the Democrats from gaining popularity among Bangkok residents. On October 18, 2005, with no approval from the central government forthcoming, the BMA decided to seek to complete the Wong Wian Yai extension using its own budget. Prime Minister Thaksin has pledged to make every effort to block the BMA's move[2] but his attempt backfired, resulting in a plunge of popularity for his beleaguered Thai Rak Thai party among Bangkok voters, particularly in the Thonburi wards.

Constructions of the 2.2 km Silom Line route extension (S7 Charoen Nakhon & S8 Wongwian Yai) began on December 13, 2005 and is expected to be completed within a year. Led by Governor Apirak Kosayothin, the BMA completed the Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) on other proposed extensions in early December 2005 and is currently seeking financial support from the central government on four other extension routes. If granted, priorities will be given to the E9 On Nut - Samrong (Soi Sukhumvit 119) and S8 Wongwian Yai - Bang Wa (Th. Phetchakasem) extensions and construction could begin immediately.

The extension plan for the BTS can be summarised as follows:

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Phase I

On Nut – Samrong (terminating at Sukhumvit Soi 119) – 8.9 km
Saphan Taksin – Wong Wian Yai (terminating at Th. Somdet Chao Phraya) – 2.2 km

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Phase II

Samrong – Samut Prakan – 7.9 km
Wong Wian Yai – Bang Wa (terminating at Th. Phetchakasem) – 6.7 km
National Stadium – Phran Nok (terminating at Th. Charan Sanit Wong) – 6.8 km
Mo Chit – Saphan Mai – 12 km

It is estimated that most of the extension plans above will be completed by 2010 or 2012 at the latest. Note that these plans do not include the extensions proposed for the MRT.

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