Taksin Extension:March '09 opening!?

[mrtfreak]

all elevated train lines have a bit of run-over after the terminal station. is there a picture of this? in view of the subway accident, i am wondering if the government will take this time to evaluate ALL train operators guidelines for operation and such. it is possible that another runaway train may run-off the tracks and onto the ground from the elevated structure. this will be even more fatal than the current subway accident as the train is dropping from a height. momentum from gravity pulling the train down will also increase the horror of such a disaster occuring. if not, how to avert this?

[jpatokal]

all elevated train lines have a bit of run-over after the terminal station. is there a picture of this? in view of the subway accident, i am wondering if the government will take this time to evaluate ALL train operators guidelines for operation and such. it is possible that another runaway train may run-off the tracks and onto the ground from the elevated structure. this will be even more fatal than the current subway accident as the train is dropping from a height. momentum from gravity pulling the train down will also increase the horror of such a disaster occuring. if not, how to avert this?
The way it's done at BTW Saphan Taksin: build two kilometers of bridge past the end of the track, so there's plenty of space of a runaway train to slow down :D :rolleyes: :mad:

[mrtfreak]

and its without a 3rd rail for power right? what about at mo chi, on nut and the national stadium?

[ncr]

and its without a 3rd rail for power right?Actually at Saphan Taksin, it's even without a 1st and 2nd rail..... :D LOL (Thanks to certain politicians; you know their names....)

As for National Stadium and On Nut, yes they have run-over tracks, but I have no idea whether they are powered or not (probably not). In the case of On Nut I can tell you that it extends for 320 m beyond the station, because I have measured it in a QuickBird satellite image. :)

At Mo Chit the track has power, as this is also serving as the access ramp to the depot. (The trains go past the station, then reverse and make a left turn.)

[mrtfreak]

i know that the SMRT run-over at BNL station is really dangerous. the 3rd rail (and 1st and 2nd rail too) runn all the way to the end of the track. should there be a runaway train, it would definitely derail and crash to the ground. so i was just wondering if the skytrain had similar features to those of the SMRT.

[Yappofloyd]

jpatokal/ncr,

Where is the run-over at Saphan Taksin??? Jpatokal you mention 2 kms!!

Obviously, as ncr says plenty at On Nut, NS and Mo Chit but I have seen none at Saphan Taksin.
Only the built Taksin extension minus rail, so a runaway train would end up on this or perhaps on the bridge itself (although I seem to remember that there is a slight incline from Surasak to Saphan Taksin).

[mrtfreak]

jpatokal/ncr,

Where is the run-over at Saphan Taksin??? Jpatokal you mention 2 kms!!

Obviously, as ncr says plenty at On Nut, NS and Mo Chit but I have seen none at Saphan Taksin.
Only the built Taksin extension minus rail, so a runaway train would end up on this or perhaps on the bridge itself (although I seem to remember that there is a slight incline from Surasak to Saphan Taksin).
thats what jpatokal means... since they had begun the extension, the supposed "run-over" is even longer now as the box sections are in place, creating a secure bridge. the train would eventually stop as there is no power supply i guess.

[Yappofloyd]

Yes perhaps....but remember the Saphan Taksin station did not have anything following it until the bridge was completed in late 2003 so it operated without a run-over for a few years.

Accidents will always occur when a combination of factors (design, system controls, climatic, human error) unforessen come into play.

However, such a scenario is, I think, highly unlikely......but then so was an accident on the MRT mean't also to be.

[ncr]

jpatokal/ncr,

Where is the run-over at Saphan Taksin??? Jpatokal you mention 2 kms!!That was simply a joke by jpatokal, alluding to the stalled extension.....! That's why I said it doesn't even have rails. ;)

[R. Zimmermann]

That sarcastic joke about the Saphan Taksin runover (a good one) seems not
to have landed everywhere. By the way, that railless viaduct is now well under construction all way up to Thanopn Phetkasem.

As to the runovers at National Stadium and Onnuj, they serve as reversing
tracks, and are obviously powered.

[Yappofloyd]

Aaah, I see..... :rolleyes:

I'll have to ensure I am more intune with jpatokal's subtle sarcasm in the future as it obviously missed moi.

When is the viaduct structure from Taksin to Thannon Phetkasem due to be finished?

Once BTS finally gets the go-ahead I would imagine that the passenger numbers for the corss-river link to Taksin and Phetkasem will be huge.

[Yappofloyd]

When is the viaduct structure from Taksin to Thannon Phetkasem due to be finished?

I am going to try to answer my own question here....

I went to investigate the extent of the ongoing construction of the Phetkasem viaduct ext last week. As many of you know, it runs alongside the Thannon Taksin-Phetcha Kasem corridor .

I found that the current length of the viaduct has extended to just beyond the Mahachai line to Thannon Wutthakat (in fact the current construction is immediately above Wutthakat rd).

Pillars have been constructed to a distance of about 200m beyond Klong Nan, (runs south from Klong Yai), which is itself about 150m from Wutthakat rd. I would guess about half of the total distance of the viaduct (4.5km) has been constructed thus far. So Jpatokal, your 'Taksin run-over' is now some 4+kms long!

I spoke with a couple of workers (in my semi-conversational thai) who stated that they thought they would reach Thannon PhetKasem in 12-14 months. One of the workers then proceeded to tell me how the line will then be construct to onwards to Mahachai! (Which to my understanding was the 'old' BTS plan but which I thought had been canned given the SRT Mahachai line upgrade)

I took some photos, including a shot of a Wong Wian Yai bound train, passing under the viaduct but I don't seem to have image posting privileges (being a relatively new member).

However, if and when I can, I will post a few images.

One of my queries which arises is 'where will the interchange be' with the Mahachai line. I suspect it will be immediately above Wutthakat (approx. 100m from railway line) for BTS and hopefully Mahachai line will construct a station under the viaduct. However, this will depend on if the Mahachai line will be surface or elevated (to avoid road crossings).

Does anyone know?

[Robert Stadler]

Okey everybody take a guess then you think the full service of the skytrain taksin extension
My guess is January 20 2007

[The Enforcer!]

Tuesday 5th December 2006.

The Enforcer!

[Robert Stadler]

I hope it will be finished on the 5th of december 2006 but I have a feeling that it will be a delay:mad:

[ncr]

Tuesday 5th December 2006.Bingo! The only correct answer for anyone who knows a bit about Thailand.... :D

[The Enforcer!]

but I have a feeling that it will be a delay:mad:
"The train not arriving on platform 1 is delayed because ..."

1) The BMA ran out of money

2) Taksin has finally pulled the plug on the Skytrain

3) The BMA track and the BTS track are different gauges

4) Everyone forgot that Saphan Taksin is single track

5) All of the above

[Please choose one]

The Enforcer!

[Nekochan]

They would plan for Dec 5, 2006 openning.

It is likely to be delayed, at least they need to test the system first.

Perhaps, ready for Songkran 2007??

[Wisarut]

New Names for the station alogn Taksin Extension
Dailynews - Nov 25, 2005

Duputy BMA Governor Samart Rajpolasit is sendign a proposal to hcange the name of stations
alogn Taksin extension due to the public demand to have very distiguishable station names
since the old names are very hard for passengers to distinguish.

Old Name New name
1) S7 Krung Thonburi Charoen Nakhon
2) S8 Taksin Road Wongwian Yai


Now BMATraffic Bureau has plannd to hire Utility Design Co.Ltd. asa consultant
to control the construction of Taksin extenssion with a price tag of 30 million Baht
So far, Utility Design hasquote the price of 29,705,126 Baht for this contract.
The contract will be signed on Nov 30.

BMA Traffic Bureau haschosen Utility Design since this company has handled
the defunct Phaseecharoen elevatd way before so ther willbe no problem on
connecting the system.

Now, BMA is drafting TOR for hiring the pivate sector to handle the signal & system installation
ticket with aprice tag of 1.29 billion Baht and the consultant to handle handle the signal & system installation ticket with aprice tag of 40 millionBaht.

The TOR for the upcomign proiject will bedone in Decemebr 2005. Ther will b eitehr E-Auction whcih takes 45 daysto implement or the special procrument whcih take 15 days to implemnt ... but with more corruption prone ....

[Yappofloyd]

"The train not arriving on platform 1 is delayed because ..."

1) The BMA ran out of money

2) Taksin has finally pulled the plug on the Skytrain

3) The BMA track and the BTS track are different gauges

4) Everyone forgot that Saphan Taksin is single track

5) All of the above

[Please choose one]

The Enforcer!

No. 5 but need clarification of No. 4 as Saphan Taksin station only is single track NOT Saphan Taksin (ie. the bridge). The station essential lies in the alignement of the south track.

My date for opening is at least the middle of 2007. Post June which probably means either August or Dec 07 on one of the usual auspicious birthday dates.

[Wisarut]

Taksin Extension - the next Hurdle for BMA is BTS?
Prachachart Thurakij - December 12-14, 2005

Even though BMA and STECOn has signed the contract, the issue on the revenue sharing scheme
with BTS is still a big hurdle ....

Even though Taksin extension add MORE passengers to BTS, theri revenue may be down
due to the followign reasons

1) BMA has applied the right to collect the first 10 Baht fee
2) BMA want to grab more revenue for the rest of BTS tickets [0-30 Baht]
3) Even though Taksin extension add the extra daily passengers, BTS has to loss
20000 passengers a day at Saphan Taksin station [from the current level of
30000 passengers a day] ... The loss at Surasak station has not been calculated yet.

Therefore, BTS need to get at least the extra 50,000 daily passengers or more
to cover the loss due to the revenue sharign scheme.

Note: BTS Better prepare to reroute the feeder buses to get the extra passengers The possible rerouting scheme can be shown as follows:

1) the route to The Mall Tha Phra
2) the route to The mall Bang Khae -> by popular Demand
3) the route to Big C Rat Boorana
4) the loop route to Wongwian Yai
5) the rotue to Central Pinklao -> By popular Demands
6) the route to Central Rama II Highway -> by popular Demand
7) the route to KMUTT at Bang Mod -> by Popular demand
8) the route to Phra padaeng

[ooddy]

one way to increase the ridership is to add more escalators and elevators, add more and bigger park'n ride, kiss'n ride..., provide discount tickets to senior citizens.

[Wisarut]

More Escalators -> maybe .... but not the same as Subway Escalators

More Elevators? -> NOPE, the landlords would REFUSE to allow the construction of elevators since it would grobble their space unless BTS and BMA agree to pay hefty compensation.

[The Enforcer!]

More Elevators? -> NOPE, the landlords would REFUSE to allow the construction of elevators since it would grobble their space unless BTS and BMA agree to pay hefty compensation.
Why does this take up more space than escalators?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

We can simply replace the old stairways into escalators but we would have to get more space to construct the elevators to meet the same standard as MRTA stations.

[Nekochan]

I drove along Thonburi Rd today and found that BMA blocked 1 inner lanes in each direction. Traffic was not that bad since today is a holiday.

I remembered it was the location of S7 station.

So, they start the construction?? There were no workers today.

:confused:

[ooddy]

Often times, when I was in Bangkok, i.e. about 5-6 months ago, I rode BTS very often, almost on a daily basis. The problem I have is trying to climb up stairs...it seems like more than 20 meters to get to the Mezzanine, and another 15 meters to the platform. By the time I get there, I'm exhaust and out of energy of my advanced age...let alone a potential devastation for straining myself for a heart attack candidate.

There must be a lot of people having the save problem...and dreads the feeling of torturing themselves, so they opt not to use the system.

BMA should demand that every station have escalators and elevators, and handicapped/elderly accessible, no matter what...

[Wisarut]

BTS Breaking 500000 passengers a day barrier
Thairath - Dec 14, 2005

BTS has told the press on Dec 13 that it has successfully broken the 500000 passengers a day barrier on Dec 9, 2005. Now, the max number of passengers is 537328 passengers on Dec 9, 2005, dwafting the previous record of 476191 passengers on Nov 16, 2005 (Loy Krathong Day).


The top 5 stations on Dec 9, 2005 can be described as follows:

1) The 1st - Siam Station
2) The 2nd - Onnut
3) The 3rd - Mochit
4) The 4th - Victory Monument
5) The 5th - Saladaeng station

The reasons for the surge of passengers are

1) Long weekend
2) Siam Paragon Opening
3) The Friday Talk of Khun Sondhi at Luphini Park

Now, BTS has carried 562,290,989 passengers from Dec 5, 1999 - Dec 5, 2005.
The average number of passengers is 425,000 passengers a day durin weekdays,
up from the first year of services by 204% ... Even just this year (Jan 1, 2005 - Dec 5, 2005),
ther are already 116,919,617 passengers - up by 9.06% from the same period of
the previous year.

The steady growth of the numebr of passengers can be described as follows:

1) Growth of passengers (9.65% durign weekdays, 8.96% durign the weekends)
due to the surge of regular passengers - most from workign adults

2) Subway as a feeder for BTS - the number of passengerr who make a change at Asok station
is now 24001 passengers a day, up from the last year by 37.47% while the number of passengers
at Onnut terminal is now 38050 passengers a day, up from the previous year by 10.54%

There are 10000 trip of passengers between Onnut as Asok station in one day, the msot frequent trip of all

3) The Continuing Fuel Hike has compelled many passengers to ride BTS.

4) the growth of residential buildings, offices, and shoppign malls along BTS.

[Wisarut]

Auspecious Day for Starting the Construction of Taksin Extension
Manager Daily - Dec 13, 2005

Governor Abhirak has come to the construction site of Charoen Nakhon station (S7)
to perform the inaguration ceremony for the construction of Taksin extension along
with the representatives from STECON - after signign the contract on Nov 30, 2005.

Taksin extension will be 2.2 km long with price tag of 1.033 billion Baht. This has to be done in 300 days. The first section is to construction the support pilars for both Charoen Nakhon station and Wong Wian Yai station whcih has to be done by Feb 2006. After that, the track laying, will go from April to September 2006. At the same time, the construction of stations along with the installation of escalators, elevators for the handicapped, electric power, the light system, and airconditions will be executed so all wil be done by the end of September 2006.

Charoen Nakhon station (S7) is at Bang Chak Gas station (former Technic Sajjawat technical school)
Wongwian Yai (S8) is near the flyover across Taksin road.

STECON has to install the system for environment assessment, vibration detection, noise detector & dust counter, so BMA can inspect the system every month.

BMA Governor has ask Duputy Samart to handle the negotiation with BTS.
So far, the problem is due to the shareholders who DISAGREE with BMA Scheme
of revenue sharing even though Khun Khiree, Mr. Super K, Khun Anat have agreed
with BMA Scheme of revenue sharing to relieve them form the burden of contruction
the main instrastructure. BTS ONLY need to instalal the signal and system and supply
the new sets of rolling stocks if the original 35 sets cannot cope with the surging demands.

For Samrogn extension, BMA has asked Mahatthai 6 times to change the scheme
from 100% private to 60% from BMA and 40% from BTS. So far, Mahatthai rejected
the BMA scheme despite of the fact that this Samrogn extension cost BMA 8 billion Baht
... need help from central government. This ection has to be started in 2006 so the line
would help those who live in in Samrogn area.

BMA will also ask Samut Prakarn Provincial Hall to help BMA on the section Beyond
BMA Boundary Pole since Samrong extension is going penetrate into Samut Prakarn
and thsoe wh live Samrong area are willign to help BMA since they would get
the benefit from the project.

If the central governmetn REFUSE to help BMA, BMA would havbe to come up with
the Emergency Plan to accomplish Samrong extension.

Note: If the central Governemtn refuse to help BMA to handle Samrong extension,
the section from Onnut to Samrong ... even Paknam would turn into RED ZONE
for TRT .... as well as thsoe vested interest who act like a local Mafia.

[The Enforcer!]

If the central Governemtn refuse to help BMA to handle Samrong extension, the section from Onnut to Samrong ... even Paknam would turn into RED ZONE for TRT .... as well as thsoe vested interest who act like a local Mafia.
For information how many TRT MPs/Councillors have constituencies served by this extension?

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

If the central Governemtn refuse to help BMA to handle Samrong extension, the section from Onnut to Samrong ... even Paknam would turn into RED ZONE for TRT .... as well as thsoe vested interest who act like a local Mafia.I needed to read this twice before realizing that, judging from his particular choice of words, Khun Wisarut must have intended to make a subtle joke here.

Remember, that nutty idea of devising "red zones" in the South?
*nudge, nudge, wink, wink* ;)

In case it was not a deliberate allusion, it's still a nice coincidence..... All right, let's divide BKK into red, yellow and green zones for TRT! Would really like to see the resulting map. (Which areas are actually still government-friendly, if any?)

*snicker*

[jpatokal]

So... is anything actually happening on the Taksin extension, after Apirak's putative breakthrough? :confused: Pictures and news here, please, and let's devote the superlong extensions thread to the other ones.

[Wisarut]

I've taken a photo of TaksinExtension at theNewyear Eve but Ihave nto Dumped them into my Photo Bucket Yet:p

[jpatokal]

Bump. So... what's actually happening? Is this still completely stalled, and why if even the Sukhumvit extension seems to be shuddering back to life (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=10538#post10538)? :confused:

[Tettyan]

I drove under it last week, seems like they're decent progress on building the stations (2 of them), but I couldn't get a view of the track work. There were a handful of workers up on the track level between stations, so something's definitely going on, but we can only hope that they're making good progress there.

[Wisarut]

Now Metropolitan Police has asked BMA and ITD to delay the Infrastructure Clearing from Onnut to Bang Na until Sri Nakharin road has been repaired ...whcuih is by the end of October 2006 instead of August 2006 :eek:

Furthermore the clearing of Sukhumvit road needs cooperation with Highway Dept to ensure smooth process ...

[Nekochan]

Construction of Onnut - Soi 107 section may be started as late as April 2007, since DOH has been busy doing construction of 2 flyovers on Srinakarin. And the delay was requested by the traffic police.

You ask me the whether traffic on Sukhumvit is really bad. It is always bad!!

But the section from Onnut - Udomsuk can be started first. No need to wait. The congestion actually occurs at Samrong Bridge, in front of Big C and Teparak intersection.

[Wisarut]

BMA Deputy Governor Phnitch Proposign Plan for BMA to make Long term Loan for BTS Expansion
Bangkokbiznews.com - August 14, 2006

BMA Deputy Governor Phnitch is goign to propose 10-year Financial Leasing plan on
the budget speding for 3 BTS extensions

1) Taksin Intersection - Bang Wah (5.2 km) - 7.055 billion Baht
2) Onnut - Bearring - 8.755 billion Baht
3) Mochit - Kaset - 11.988 billion Baht

The reason for thsi plan is due to the fact that teh budget for BMA is 52 billion Baht - 65% for administraton and 35 % (17 billion Baht) for investment on 3 Skytrain extensions, sewage teatment plant, and new BMA Office at Din Daeng. These 3 projects woudl consume 11 billion Baht project.

Phaholyothin extension (Mochit - Kaset) wil be the first project to be udner this scheme sicne this one has nto started yet and BMA has no budget for this project yet.

If the consuction of the extensions are abotu to start, BMA has tro issue the TOR that the provate section will propose the bidding ... with the creditors to ack up the project ... the same scheme as Airprot Link ...

Issuebing BMA Boad is possible but it takes logn time to be implemetned since it requites credit ratign to ack up theri bonds.

Bang Na extension (Onut - Bearing) and Taksin extension phase 2 (Taksin intersection - Bang Wah) are already got the budget fir cibstructing stations and plate laying. However, BMA has nto allocated the budget for signal and system istallation yet .. Therfore, the 10-year finaicail leasign would be applied on the signal intallation ...

This schme woulod ease the financial pressure ... allwign BMA to invest on otehr projects ...

For example the investment on Bang na extension of 8.5 billion Baht, it requires BMA to 2 billion Baht budget
a eyar for abtou 4-5 year in regular budget scheme ... quite a constrain thouhg ...

On the otehr hand, the long term leasign of 10-12 year will enable BMA to spend on this prject ONLY at 1 billion Baht a year for 10-12 year ... cut down the budget significantly

Furthermore, BMA need to add the extra 500 million Baht budget (total 4.3 billion Baht) for the additional station on Bang na extension - the E14 station .... by moving the Bearing station from the old position at just a few meter way from BMA bordary pole in Samut Prakarn up not to be in at a few meters from Soi Bearing to serve thsoe who live in Soi Lasalle (Sukhumvit 105) and Soi bearing (Sukhumvit 107) ... They can add the via duct connectign with the pedestrian flyover at boudary Pole ....

Furthermore, E13 station which initially positioned in frotn of meterological Dept ... to go up north to Bang Na canal ... allowign shorter connection with BITEC ... The direct via duct connectign Bang Na station with BITEC will be added later ...

[Wisarut]

Well, even though there is a cosntrictoon of flyover at Samrong, the addition construction of bang na extension would add mroe woes to the driver who go between Samrogn and Sukhumvit area ... either via Sri Nakharin or via Sukhumvit ..

The old Railway road is a truck route .... Small cars whould NEVER mess aeroudn with this road unless they REALLY have to go trough that road! :eek:

[Yappofloyd]

I drove under it last week, seems like they're decent progress on building the stations (2 of them), but I couldn't get a view of the track work. There were a handful of workers up on the track level between stations, so something's definitely going on, but we can only hope that they're making good progress there.

Khun Tettyan, BMA said that they plan to finish construction of the Taksin ext (Stations, track and electricals) by Feb/Mar and then undertake testing until June for an official opening. Based on what you saw do you think that the they will met this timeframe?

Can anyone post some pics of the stations construction?

[ncr]

Something's happening...... So I went to Saphan Taksin yesterday to have a look - and they are (or have been) laying tracks on the bridge (no workers in sight, though...) See photo (http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3843/s3013745jo2.jpg) and detail (http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/685/s3013745cropal2.jpg). Contrast that with the classic 2B "end of the line" photo (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Skytrain/stop.jpg).

In fairly unrelated news, I also saw The Infinity (next to the old Russian Embassy Building/Chong Nonsi Station) is in the process of going up..... They have reached something around floor 8 or 10 (judging by the short glimpse I got from out of the Skytrain).

[GWR]

Genuinely exciting. It will be great to go over the river and have time to look at the view up and down stream. There is obviously enough space for two tracks on that bridge. Will they change the platform configuration? Or is the extension only intended to be single track for the time being?

How close will the Wongwienyai stop be to the train station? I'm looking forward to taking a train to Mahachai if I ever have a day to kill in Bangkok.

Likewise with Thonburi. I wouldn't mind getting up early in the morning to catch a Kanchanburi or Nam Tok train if it was comparatively simple to get to the terminus in the first place. And I'm probably far from alone in those sentiments. Apirak is dead right talk about a liveable city in which folks are able to do rather more than just go to work and back every day.

[Yappofloyd]

Something's happening...... So I went to Saphan Taksin yesterday to have a look - and they are (or have been) laying tracks on the bridge (no workers in sight, though...) See photo (http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3843/s3013745jo2.jpg) and detail (http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/685/s3013745cropal2.jpg). Contrast that with the classic 2B "end of the line" photo (http://www.2bangkok.com/2bangkok/Skytrain/stop.jpg).
Khun ncr, thanks for posting these two shots. I didn't realise that they had already started putting some track on site.

However, I am really hoping that someone can take some shots of the two stations being built to see how advanced construction is.

Genuinely exciting. It will be great to go over the river and have time to look at the view up and down stream. There is obviously enough space for two tracks on that bridge. Will they change the platform configuration? Or is the extension only intended to be single track for the time being?

How close will the Wongwienyai stop be to the train station? I'm looking forward to taking a train to Mahachai if I ever have a day to kill in Bangkok.

Khun GWR, I think your first query is answered earlier in the general Skytrain exts thread. I think that the answer was to keep Taksin station as a single line station so trains will have to wait until oncoming train has passed the station. If your Siam bound and waiting on the bridge then you'll get a great view!

On your second question, the 2nd station is planned to be about 100-200 metres before the Th. Somdet Phrachoa Taksin intersection so to get to Wong Wian Yai SRT station you'll need to there turn right and walk north about 400-500 metres to get there. There's a number of bus stops heading into Wong Wian Yai but of course they are not located near the intersection (perhaps this wil change once the station is open). I have walked this a number of times as I used to catch the 76 bus from Pratunam to get to Wong Wian Yai station.

Also, don't forget that once the ext is extended all the way through to Th. Phet Kasem (maybe in 2008?) there is a station planned to be located just north of Th Wutthakat which you will (hopefully) then be able to interchange with the Mahachai line which passes under the BTS viaduct just after a curve. There is a small station just a few hundreds metres to the west of the viaduct from which I caught a Mahacahi train one day but I forget the name of it.

[von Hirschhorn]

…There is a small station just a few hundreds metres to the west of the viaduct from which I caught a Mahachai train one day but I forget the name of it …

Tarat Phu 1.7 km from Wong Wian Yai (the great circle)
Concerning the Saphan Taksin station, everyone ever been there could have seen that the platform is build on the space for the second track and that there’s hardly any space to enlarge the station on the same spot. So here is the dilemma because meanwhile the station plays an important role in rail<>water traffic but as stated before in the thread: a single operation with modern signalling and guiding techniques is possible. For the time being we are able to see an extra ordinary feature in subway systems. :rolleyes:

[Mangoboy]

The other day I went out to visit my sister in-law over near Pinklao and saw that the extension seems to be making pretty good progress. This afternoon I nipped out on my scooter to get some snaps of some of the construction. I got a couple of kms before falling foul of the one way system and heading home. I hope the pics that I did get are of some interest. I am happy to update the captions to my photos if anyone can give me more details. You can find them here (http://www.keiskammafriends.com/sky_train.htm).

[Jromerz]

Track work is progressing almost all the way along the viaduct already, don't know if its just one side or both. Viaduct now reaches to Petch Kasem rd, which is the end of planned extension.

[ncr]

I hope the pics that I did get are of some interest. I am happy to update the captions to my photos if anyone can give me more details. You can find them here (http://www.keiskammafriends.com/sky_train.htm).
Of course they are of interest! In fact something like this was what everyone had been waiting for. Really cool! Thanks a lot.

So there is visible progress being made on the Taksin extension. Some good news at least in these crazy times.

BTW, I can find nothing wrong with the captions. Maybe add the station names? (Are the names official yet?)

[S7 - Charoen Nakhon] - omitted
S8 - Krung Thonburi
S9 - Wong Wian Yai (or Thanon Somdet Phra Chao Taksin?)

[Wisarut]

Khun NCR,


When I make my own survey, the Station assiagn ment will be as follows:

1) S7 Charoen Nakhon (near a depot of Bus 84)
2) S8 Taksin Intersection (near the foot of a flyover across Taksin intersection)

[Yappofloyd]

The other day I went out to visit my sister in-law over near Pinklao and saw that the extension seems to be making pretty good progress. This afternoon I nipped out on my scooter to get some snaps of some of the construction. I got a couple of kms before falling foul of the one way system and heading home. I hope the pics that I did get are of some interest. I am happy to update the captions to my photos if anyone can give me more details. You can find them here (http://www.keiskammafriends.com/sky_train.htm).

Thanks Khun Mangoboy, as Khun ncr says this is exactly what we have been requesting and gives everyone a good idea of how progressed construction of the stations is. From your photos it seems to me that it will be at least another 6 months until the stations are complete and fitted out which basically fits within the BMA timeframe. Your description gives a clear idea of each the direction of each photo.

@Khun jromerz, yes the viaduct was finished in Jan/Feb. I posted a number of shots in early Jan which showed the viaduct 500 m south of Th Phetkasem, see (post #153) on the main Skytrain ext thread,http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=120&page=11. However, I am not sure if all the shots are still linked.

[Yappofloyd]

After take a look at inform from Khun Totomaru whcih has been compiled form BMA Traffic Bureau, I feel very stunned that BMA is abotu to add one more station for Taksin Extension Phase 2

Therrefore the total station of Taksin extesion (Phase 1-2) will be as follows:

1) S7 Charoen nakhon
2) S8 Wongwian Yai
3) S9 Wat Phonimit
4) S10 Ratchadaphisek
5) S11 Wutthakart
6) S12 Bang Wah
7) S13 - Wat Prado Bangchak

REF for the works of Khun Totomaru:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth...9&page=9&pp=20

Khun Totomaru's Map's

Station list in Thai, corresponding to first map below:-

http://uppic.quick4host.com/is/s13_4.jpg

Map from Wongwienyai to end of line at Wat Prado Bangchak: -

http://uppic.quick4host.com/is/s13_1.jpg

Zoom of Wat Prado Bangchak area:-

http://uppic.quick4host.com/is/s13_12.jpg

Aerial View of Extension Route: -

http://uppic.quick4host.com/is/s13_2.jpg

Present & Future Mass Transit Routes: -

http://uppic.quick4host.com/ib/bts_ext_all.jpg

What is going on with building the Phetkasem ext now that the viaduct is finished?

[Yappofloyd]

Three questions on the Taksin and Phetkasem BTS exts;

1) Have works commenced on the construction of the two stations for the Taksin ext?,
2) Does 6 months of testing seem a little excessive as I would have thought a few months would be sufficient (or is this just a public statement to allow for further delays),
3) Has the Saphan through to Th. Phetkasem been finished yet? (I posted photos taken in Jan which showed that the viaduct was only about 100m south of Th. Phetkasem so I assume that it has been finalised by now but can someone pls confirm).

Thonburi line opening set for next June Bkk POst 27/06/06The opening of the 2.2km extension of the BTS skytrain from Taksin station across the Chao Phraya river to Thonburi has been put back until June next year because of delays in the installation of the signalling system. Apirat Sivapornpitak, director of the city's traffic and transport office, said the Bangkok Metoropilitan Administration (BMA) was still negotiating with Alcatel (Thailand) for a lower price. The agreement was expected to be finalised within two weeks. It would then go to Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin for approval.

The BMA on June 15 opened tenders from Alcatel and Siemens of Germany to supply equipment for the signalling system, for which the BMA has allocated 1.29 billion baht. Alcatel's quote was 1,166,987,641 baht, and Siemens' was 1,288,135,240 baht _ both excluding value added tax. He said if everything went as planned, the signals would be ready by the end of this year. The laying of tracks and building of the stations was to be completed in September. Mr Apirat said the completed Thonburi-bound skytrain extension would then need to be test-run for six months and should be ready for its official opening in June next year.

A couple of points from a posting of an article in late June (posted on the general BTS ext thread).

Firstly, and unsurprisingly, the laying of tracks and construction of the stations will not be completed by end of Sept. (as Khun Mangoboys pics show) but should easily be done by the end of Nov/Dec. This should give sufficient time to do all the signalling etc. I still think that the 6 months testing period is excessive and is being used to buffer construction delays and for BMA to open earlier than June 07.

However, I want to expand on my query posted above and ask what is going on with the Phetkasem ext? The maps posted on the general BTS extension thread show that BMA has plans well underway but what is actually happening with tendering of the construction? What is the timeframe? There doesn't appear to have been any announcements since May? Is Khun Apirak waiting until the election is called to boost the Dems mass transit policy?

It would make sense for BMA to announce the tender for this ext now and begin construction before the end of the year to really show their ''can do' credentials on public transport.

[Yappofloyd]

Well according to this article installation of the signalling system will not begin until Dec whereas back in May BMA was saying it would be finished by Dec.

However, another delay is perhaps not a surprise, (even if arises due to changes in the specs of the system). The testing period of 6 months from Jan until June 07 always looked excessive and most likely to buffer any delays. However, now the opening of the ext is said to be 'late next year' instead of June 07.

Still no info on what is going on with the Phetkasem ext now that the viaduct is all finished......

BTS EXTENSION Alcatel likely to install new B1bn system for signalling Bkk Post 17/10/06

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) is expected to give Alcatel a one-billion-baht contract to install a signalling system on the 2.2km extension of the BTS electric railway from Taksin Bridge on the Thon Buri side. A BMA source said the city has changed its bidding terms to require an open signalling system, known as the Communication Based Train Control System (CBTC), instead of a closed one so the BTS railway can be integrated with electric railways to be built in the future. BMA concessionaire, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, has dropped the closed signalling system of its train supplier Siemens.

As the bidding terms have changed, BMA will negotiate a contract price with Alcatel only because it was the only contender to propose the open system. Besides, Alcatel quoted its price at 1.16 billion baht while Siemens' quotation was 1.28 billion baht. The BMA's original median price was 1.29 billion baht. The BMA will make its adjusted bidding terms official on Thursday and negotiate a final contract price with Alcatel in two weeks. Installation of the signalling system should begin in December and finish on the now-completed railway expansion structure by mid-2007. The Thon Buri-bound expansion route should begin operations late next year.

[gwmss15]

does anyone know what will happend to the single paltform BTS station a saphan taskin station?

Will it be closed when the thonburi extension opens?

Or will it be expanded to 2 platforms up/down like all the other stations?

Or will it be come a bottle neck in the system where both directions have to share this one platform?

if anyone knows please let us know about it

thanks

[ncr]

does anyone know what will happend to the single paltform BTS station a saphan taskin station?That issue has actually been discussed here at length before.

See for example post #146 onwards in this thread (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=120&page=4). (I think there was more somewhere else.)

In short: Saphan Taksin will remain as a single platform station. Closing it is not an option as it is too important as a connection to the express boats. Enlarging it (adding a second platform) is virtually impossible due to the space restrictions. The question whether it will become a bottleneck solely depends on the train scheduling (headway etc.). The experts (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showpost.php?p=7018&postcount=151) on our forum seem to be confident that it is not a big problem. ;)

[von Hirschhorn]

Yes, it's is not, though the situation will be unique as fas as I am aware off.
The first metro with a single track operation. O.K. somewere in an almost deserted suburb, but in the heart of the matter... Well, we all can see in the nearby future what it will be and above all bring... traffic jam at Saphan Taksin, gridlock on rail. :D

[The Enforcer!]

The first metro with a single track operation.

San Jose Light Railway has three single track stations ... Evelyn, Oakridge and Hamilton.

The Enforcer!

[jpatokal]

So how's the Taksin extension coming along, and what's the latest estimate for opening it? The last I heard the final contract was yet to be awarded and it would take one year after that for it to open, so we're already looking at mid-2008 at best. Reading old threads on this topic (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=1309) is pretty depressing...

[Yappofloyd]

Yes it is all pretty depressing. I recently come across this article on the Nation website which I find very surprising that it suggests that trials will only start in Sept 08!!!!

Originally (in the BMA plan), this ext was going to commence operation by mid 07, then late 07, then March 08, then mid 08 and now it seems not until late 08!!!!:( :mad: :( :mad:

Taking in to account when the viaduct was built, it will perhaps be the slowest 2.2km metro ext ever constructed in a SE Asian city!

Graft alleged in Skytrain job The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is set to meet with a Canadian firm about the installation of signalling sysฌtems for a 2.2km extension of the Skytrain. Published on August 22, 2007 The Nation

The extension starts at the Taksin Bridge station and will link Bangkok's east to the Thon Buri side of the Chao Phya River. Bangkok Deputy Governor Panich Wikitset said yesterday the administration was inviting representatives of Bombardier to give a price for the job. "We expect to sign the conฌtract by September 21," he said. But trials are not due to start on the extension until September next year.

But an informed source said they were irregularities linked to the project and why Bombardier - not Siemens - was chosen. Siemens offered a lower price and had done sigฌnalling for other Skytrain routes, the official alleged."We are uncomfortable about how this contract has been prepared and rushed," a senior administration official said on condition of anonymiฌty. Bids were being sought for the communications and dataacquisition systems for the extension, Panich said.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin was planning to find a qualified bidder through an eauction. "We should be able to select the bidder for this part by October," Panich said. Krungthep Thanakom had been selected to procure and provide ticketing systems, he said.

Panich reported on progress with the Bus Rapid Transit projฌect also. He said about 80 per cent of utilityservice equipฌment had been relocated to pave way for the route between Chong Nonsee and Ratchapreuk. "Construction is about 60 per cent complete," he said. He expected the first buses to arrive in March.
Jeerawan Prasomsap The Nation

[The Enforcer!]

"Construction is about 60 per cent complete,"

Sorry have I gone blind? Has any one seen any construction?

The Enforcer!

[jpatokal]

Sorry have I gone blind? Has any one seen any construction?
The viaduct has been finished long ago, no? It's just that the signalling hasn't even been started yet... and what's the status of the stations?

[Yappofloyd]

Sorry have I gone blind? Has any one seen any construction?

The Enforcer!

Well with respect Khun Enforcer perhaps a little....if you have another look at the article the 60% figure refers to BRT construction not Taksin ext.

For Taksin ext stations are finished. Just fitting out (nearly done) and the big delay on the signalling and systems.

[The Enforcer!]

The viaduct has been finished long ago, no? It's just that the signalling hasn't even been started yet... and what's the status of the stations?
Sorry but Panich was talking about the Bus Rapid Transit of which I can see no construction.

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

Well with respect Khun Enforcer perhaps a little....if you have another look at the article the 60% figure refers to BRT construction not Taksin ext.
I was awre that Panich was talking about the Bus Rapid Transit but I can still see no construction of it?

The Enforcer!

[gwmss15]

Why is this extension taking so long to open since the track is finished and the stations are also finished?

Surely this line will operate as an extension of silom line with normal BTS trains as its not that much futher?

Is there a shortage of rolling stock for the extension?

If signalling is an issue why didnt the BTS just copy the existing system and replicate it themselves on the extension then they would be sure its going to work.

Does anyone know if there will be a link from any of the new stations to SRT line to mahachai?

On a side note does anyone know if there are any regular buses from wong wei yai station to sathorn road (sutisark BTS station)?

[Wisarut]

Why is this extension taking so long to open since the track is finished and the stations are also finished?

Surely this line will operate as an extension of silom line with normal BTS trains as its not that much futher?

Is there a shortage of rolling stock for the extension?

If signalling is an issue why didnt the BTS just copy the existing system and replicate it themselves on the extension then they would be sure its going to work.

Does anyone know if there will be a link from any of the new stations to SRT line to mahachai?

On a side note does anyone know if there are any regular buses from wong wei yai station to sathorn road (sutisark BTS station)?

It's all about Political FOOTBALL by politicians who AGREE to DISAGREE that Delay Taksin Extension by 2 years, Furthermore, the conflicts within BMA (Those who intiate hte Policies vs. thsoe who execute the policies) is another stone that tie the feet of Governor Abhirak -> That's it!

The Decision to Change the Signal Systme from Siemens to Bombadieer to allower BTSC to purchase cheaper rollign stocks also delayed the project.

BTW, the progressive report can be summarized as follows:
REF: Prachachat Thurakij - 18-20 October 2007


The progress of BTS Taksin extension:
Overall 99.32% - delayed by 0.68%
Station Construction 99.89%
Station Rooms 96.57%
The Roof structure and tiles 100% - Done
20 steel stairways - 100% - Done
Decoration - 96.62%
Protectign Fences installation - 96.05%
Escalator & Elevators 99.67%
Electric Installation and Lightengin protection 94.85๔
Fire Protection 99.16%
Waterwork and Water Treatment 98.63%
Archetechture of Surrounding 98.37%
Further Archetecture 96.46%
Plate Laying 99.90%


BMA just got Bombadier (Thailand) to be the one who is opign to install signal and system - to be done in 10 month after the end of October 2007 - to be inline with BTSC's decision to choose Bombadier instead of Siemens

FOr the case of Bang Na extension (5.25 km - 5 stations at Bang Chak, Punnawithee, Udomsuk, Bang na, Bearing), It is 30.03% done, 3.22% faster than planned.

Degsign and General Execution - 63.62%
Structure before laying track - 51.60%
Stations - 23.96%
Systems 1.94%
Infrastructure Removal 78.91% - Delayed by 3%

Plate Laying for Bang Na extension will be started in the next 6 months - around May 2008.

Furthermore, BMA is workign to start Taksin extension Phase 2 since Taksin extension Phase 1 is definitely too short to pick up the passenger in Thonburi side of BKK. Taksin extension Phase will be 5.3 km ... with 4 new station beyond wongwian yai (Ratchadaphisek, Wutthakart, Phetkasem, bang Wah) with a price tag of 7.8-7.9 billion Baht.

Bang Wat station will interchange with Blue Ring ... and Goivernor Abhirak said the project has to be delayed form 2009 to 2011 due to 2-year delays.

15.9km BRT weill be opened in July 2008 ... now ity is 25% done. BMA is bidding for 45 BRT buses with a price tag of 399 million Baht.

[Yappofloyd]

Furthermore, BMA is workign to start Taksin extension Phase 2 since Taksin extension Phase 1 is definitely too short to pick up the passenger in Thonburi side of BKK. Taksin extension Phase will be 5.3 km ... with 4 new station beyond wongwian yai (Ratchadaphisek, Wutthakart, Phetkasem, bang Wah) with a price tag of 7.8-7.9 billion Baht.

Bang Wat station will interchange with Blue Ring ... and Goivernor Abhirak said the project has to be delayed form 2009 to 2011 due to 2-year delays.


The interesting info in the Prachachat Thurakij article posted by Khun Wisarut is that BMA and Khun Apirak seem to be saying that the Thannon Phetkasem ext (ie building the stations as the viaduct has been built for some time now) will proceed but no dates are given except that it will not be complete until 2011.

I don't really understand how the delays in the Blue Line mean that the Phetkasem ext has to be delayed as well? Surely it is just that BMA has not money for this and the central govt has for some reason not allocated any funds to complete this. Strange all round as it could be done quiet quickly even if the 2.2km Taksin ext has taken forever!

[The Enforcer!]

the central govt has for some reason not allocated any funds to complete this. Strange all round as it could be done quiet quickly even if the 2.2km Taksin ext has taken forever!
Perhaps if they renamed it the Sondhi extension they might allocate funds?

The Enforcer!

[Yappofloyd]

Some finished BTS stations shots on skyscrapercity, http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=17019933#post17019933, post #134.

Pity no service until Sept 08 (well, we hope), which will mean 10 years of BTS service in BKK for only 2.2km of extensions!!!!:eek:

[Yappofloyd]

Good to see that the excellent Urbanrail.net site has listed the Taksin ext for opening in the 2008 list of metro openings/extensions, http://www.urbanrail.net/news.htm

We'll just have to hope that BMA & BTS, can come to the party on time.....

[The Enforcer!]

Good to see that the excellent Urbanrail.net site has listed the Taksin ext for opening in the 2008 list of metro openings/extensions
Do they know or are they guessing I wonder?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

Do they know or are they guessing I wonder?

The Enforcer!


I'm one of thsoe whgo supplied updated nerws to Urban Rail dot net thouogh :cool::p:rolleyes:

[The Enforcer!]

I'm one of thsoe whgo supplied updated nerws to Urban Rail dot net thouogh :cool::p:rolleyes:

So it's a guess, right?

the Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

So it's a guess, right?

the Enforcer!

Maybe ... but I just have written to the webmaster of urban rail dot net according to the news I have received. If I have any updated info, I will find the way to tell him as soon as possible.

BTW, The latest news said that the test run for the new 2.2 km will be in September 2008.

[Yappofloyd]

Do they know or are they guessing I wonder?

The Enforcer!

Well everything on the mass transit front in Bangkok is a bit of a guess isn't it?!

The date is based on previously announced info. which has been forwarded by various people. However, it would not be a surprise to any of us if it doesn't open on time, would it? Urbanrail lists the dates of different projects from info available and then if an extension is delayed the site ammends the info., so I don't see any problem.

It will be very important for Khun Apiraks re-election prospects to have the ext opened or about to open.

[The Enforcer!]

It will be very important for Khun Apiraks re-election prospects to have the ext opened or about to open.
In all seriousness his re-electability is current zero thus I think it would make no difference at all.

The Enforcer!

[GWR]

Frontpage today in the Bangkok Post:
http://www.bangkokpost.com

http://www.bangkokpost.com/230208_front.jpg
Photo: Bangkok Post - New skytrain station scrubs up.
A worker cleans the railing of a new skytrain station. Construction of the extended 2.2km skytrain route, which runs from the Taksin bridge to the Taksin intersection, is now almost complete. Test runs are expected to be held from November to December this year before its official opening in January next year. — APICHART JINAKUL

Extended skytrain route to open in 2009
BANGKOK, Feb 22 (TNA) – The extended route of the Thai capital's elevated "Skytrain" is expected to open to serve Bangkok commuters in 2009.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Panit Wikitset led City Hall advisors to observe construction progress on the Skytrain extension from the present Taksin Bridge terminus, crossing the Chao Phraya River to carry commuters who will no longer have to drive their automobiles to congested cedntral Bangkok.

Work on the cross-river extension is almost completed.

Meanwhile, bidding on the electronic and communications systems were to take place on Friday afternoon, Mr. Panit said, adding that he believed the bids will cost less than the estimated budget of Bt 714 million.

Trial runs on the new route are expected at year end and the extended service will begin commercial operation in January 2009.

On February 25, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung will visit the site to meet with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) officials regarding the extended Skytrain routes including the Morchit-Saphan Mai route, which still is projected at being over budget. (TNA)-E004

General News : Last Update : 19:15:27 22 February 2008 (GMT+7:00)
http://enews.mcot.net/view.php?id=2938

[Wisarut]

Now, BMA has constructed 4.5 km of track out of 5.3 km of track for the 2nd phase of Taksin extension (Taksin Intersection - bangwah) ...

For the case of bang na extension, it is 44% done ... still bidding ofr the tracci system to be in line with the new Bombadier system

BMA want to constructed the section fro, Bearing to Samut Prakarn after finishing Bang Na extension since the section from Bearing to Samut Prakarn has alreay passes EIA (Environmental Impact Assessement)

[Yappofloyd]

Now, BMA has constructed 4.5 km of track out of 5.3 km of track for the 2nd phase of Taksin extension (Taksin Intersection - bangwah) ...

For the case of bang na extension, it is 44% done ... still bidding ofr the tracci system to be in line with the new Bombadier system

BMA want to constructed the section fro, Bearing to Samut Prakarn after finishing Bang Na extension since the section from Bearing to Samut Prakarn has alreay passes EIA (Environmental Impact Assessement)

This is news as I wasn't aware that BMA had awarded a contract to build the track all the way to Thannon Phetkasem. However, seems a bit pointless if there are no stations!

[The Enforcer!]

no stations!
Excellent idea - that way you don't need trains. Saves a lot of money.

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

Wating to get further budget for the construction of the new stations though :p:cool:;)

[Yappofloyd]

^ waiting for the Samak govt. to allocate the budget I assume.

Thanks to Khun thainotts for the translation below which I copied from the skyscraper BTS thread.
Some confusion it seems as to when testing may start (either August or Nov) and thus the line subsequently opening...perhaps it is more of a case of different info. for different audicences or just plain politics given Khun Apiraks re-election in Sept.

Trial runs on the new route are expected at year end and the extended service will begin commercial operation in January 2009. - TNA 22/02/08,
Test runs are expected to be held from November to December this year before its official opening in January next year. - Bkk Post 23/02/08,
The contract will last 12 months and the governor expects trains to test run on the extension this August - Matichon 26/02/08

Governor expects BTS-testing this August from Matichon 26/02/08:
Translation of a good article outlining the BTS extensions

Mr Apirak Kosayothin, governor of Bangkok revealed after a meeting between the BMA executive and Traffic Policy Office that the 2.2 km Sathorn extension of the BTS is complete in terms of track-laying, and station construction. The contract worth 368 million baht for the signaling system will be signed with Bombardier 29 Feb 2008. The contract will last 12 months and the governor expects trains to test run on the extension this August.

As for the second western extension (Bangwah), structural works for the elevated viaducts has been completed for 4.5 km out of 5.3 km. Currently, the BMA is in the process of finding a contractor for the remaining 800 m, station construction, track laying, and signaling system. Meanwhile, progress in the 5.25 km southeastern Sukhumvit extension (to Bearing) is at 44% and the BMA is in the process of finding a train operator (comment: most likely to be BTS).

Mr Apirak added that for the northern extensions to Saphan Mai (13 km) and Sukhumvit extensions to Samut Prakarn (14 km), the BMA is working closely with the government. The Office for Transport Policy has initiated a feasibility study regarding both routes and the BMA is making preparations for cooperation with to abide by the relevant regulations for the joint cooperation. Mr Apirak also expects the Bearing-Samut Prakarn line to commence construction first since it has already passed environmental impact assessments.

[GWR]

Test runs on extension from Taksin Bridge start in August
Published on March 2, 2008

Test runs on the Taksin Bridge-Wongwien Yai extension of the Skytrain route will start in August, Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin said yesterday.

Speaking during a visit to the site, Apirak said the 2.2-kilometre extension of the Bangkok Mass Transit System's elevated rail network was almost complete. Test runs will start in August and full service is expected by March next year, he said.

The governor insisted that despite the addition of two more stops, the maximum fare on the Skytrain would be kept at Bt40, and the fare between Taksin Bridge station and Wongwien Yai would not be more than Bt10.

Apirak expected the 5.25-km extension on Sukhumvit Road, from On Nut station to Baring station, to be completed by the end of 2010.

Meanwhile, referring to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, Apirak said the first phase that links Sathorn, Narathiwat, Ratchanakrin, Rama II and Ratchaphreuk roads would be completed soon. Once in operation, the BRT and the Skytrain will be linked so that commuters can use one ticket for both systems, he said.

The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/02/national/national_30066974.php

[Nekochan]

So, it seems that writing software for integrated system takes longer time than expected. If I am correct, Bombadier will write a new software for train operations plus fare collection for both BTS & BRT?

I do not really khow how 2 systems, Siemens & Bombardier can communicate to each other. Except that there is only one system. Signalling equipment stuff may be another story. MRT signalling is made by Alsthom, but the rollingstock is from Siemens, right?

12 new BTS trains will be from China (cheaper?). It is good to have different vendors in business. Siemens was out of overpricing strategy. (I heard that before):)

[GWR]

URBANITE
Bad planning delays Skytrain expansion
Published on March 25, 2008

Is anyone really paying attention to the Skytrain expansion plans?

Looking beyond the monthly announcements as to which lines may actually be built and the corruption scandals anticipated, it is time to examine what they actually plan to construct.

I recently headed over to Thonburi to inspect the 2.2-kilometre expansion across the Chao Phya River, which began 18 months ago.

The superstructure for the tracks and stations has been in place since the Skytrain started operating nine years ago. All that was required was to add the station platforms and lay down the tracks to Sapan Taksin station. It was supposed to be completed within a year and although the structures are pretty much finished now, passengers have to wait at least another year for the installation of a few electronic signalling devices.

An officer responsible for mass transit at the Bangkok Metro-politan Administration (BMA) last week said that the city has just selected the signalling contractor - something that should have been done at the outset.

When operations do get underway, the existing Sapan Taksin station, from which the extension to Thonburi begins, will join the Suvarnabhumi Airport as another of Bangkok's civil engineering blunders.

Since this station will no longer function as a terminus, trains now need to pass through the station from both directions, but it has only one track.

Common sense tells us that the whole purpose of double tracks is so that we can efficiently move trains and minimise the potential for accidents.

It is absolutely unheard of to have a single track in a heavily used urban transit line, unless it is for emergency or maintenance purposes.

The station platform cannot be widened to accommodate a second track, as it would extend over the adjacent roadway and into the path of vehicles.

Next I will head over to On Nut and see what problems are brewing at that extension, where less than 50 per cent of the structure has been completed after 15 months of construction.

Nantiya Tangwisutijit can be contacted via e-mail at
nantiya@nationgroup.com.
The Nation

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/25/national/national_30069043.php

[Yappofloyd]

I recently headed over to Thonburi to inspect the 2.2-kilometre expansion across the Chao Phya River, which began 18 months ago.

The superstructure for the tracks and stations has been in place since the Skytrain started operating nine years ago. All that was required was to add the station platforms and lay down the tracks to Sapan Taksin station. It was supposed to be completed within a year and although the structures are pretty much finished now, passengers have to wait at least another year for the installation of a few electronic signalling devices.

Yet another example of poor reporting. Whilst I obviously agree with the general thrust of this article, it is inexcusable that a reporter writing a fairly basic article (ie. not going into all the BMA, BTSC & govt. historical politics and games) cannot even get some pretty simple facts correct.

Firstly, construction of the stations commenced in Dec 05 which is a third longer than 18 months ago!

Secondly, the viaduct ("superstructure" was not in place when the BTS began operations 9 yeras ago as the article incorrectly states. The skystrain brisge across the river was only completed in Aug/Sept 2003 with the viaduct to Wong Wian Yai done by early 2004. (The remainder of the viaduct to Th Phetkasem was being built through 2004 & 05 - see post #238http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=3435262#post3435262).

The Wong Wian Yai ext was originally due to open in Dec 04, so yes it is absurd that it has taken so long to complete but the writer fails to explain the actual reasons why this has occured. Some actual interviews with decision makers would have made for a more useful insight into why this ext has taken so long to complete.

[von Hirschhorn]

URBANITE
Bad planning delays Skytrain expansion
Published on March 25, 2008
I recently headed over to Thonburi to inspect the 2.2-kilometre expansion across the Chao Phya River, which began 18 months ago.

If it was 18 months only no complain though the finishing goes far from smooth. My first picture of the extension dates back to May 2003. The single platform Saphan Taksin station from the beginning was mending as temporarily, the infra shows it more than clearly. However, in the meantime this station and the later restyled Chao Phraya Express Boat pier [Central Pier] became an important interchange between rail and water and it would not make any sense to abandon this station now in order to give the urban train a free ride.
So here we are, wind up with a sophisticated system with a poor condition though it is for a few meters only, but still!
Enjoy it, it is unique anyway and I am wondering how the run will be. From a technical point of view it must be possible, say every two minutes, a train in one direction without bothering the one in the other direction. But this is Thailand and I wonder if all people can disembark and board under the minute. Prepare for a train patiently waiting till the other one is ready to leave. Fun for the fan, a nightmare for proper city planners. :D

[Yappofloyd]

Extract from Post article 28/03/08, http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?p=20529#post20529

Meanwhile, deputy Bangkok governor Panich Vikitsreth said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will decide on the fare rates for the skytrain's extended route from Sathon to Taksin road in a few months. He said the BMA has proposed charging ''station fees'' of 10 baht for the two new stations by the skytrain operator.

Mr Panich said the skytrain operator should maintain fare rates of 15-40 baht rather than increase the fares after the 2.2km extension is opened. However, he said the BMA is ready to reduce the fees by half if the operator feels its revenue will drop. But this can happen only if there are enough people riding on the trains.

[Ahoerstemeier]

Secondly, the viaduct ("superstructure" was not in place when the BTS began operations 9 yeras ago as the article incorrectly states. The skystrain brisge across the river was only completed in Aug/Sept 2003 with the viaduct to Wong Wian Yai done by early 2004.
But if I recall correctly, the pillars where already in place near the bridge on my first or second trip to Thailand, so sometime around 2000. The actual viaduct however wasn't there yet. The foundations for the track in the middle of Taksin bridge were already laid when the bridge was built, I clearly remember them just looking out of the water at that time - however they were originally planned for that Lavalin skytrain.

It is always scary to see how many mistakes the media makes when one knows about the topic - how can one trust them on a topic one knows nothing about before and all the information one has is from that media...

[Yappofloyd]

But if I recall correctly, the pillars where already in place near the bridge on my first or second trip to Thailand, so sometime around 2000. The actual viaduct however wasn't there yet. The foundations for the track in the middle of Taksin bridge were already laid when the bridge was built, I clearly remember them just looking out of the water at that time - however they were originally planned for that Lavalin skytrain.

It is always scary to see how many mistakes the media makes when one knows about the topic - how can one trust them on a topic one knows nothing about before and all the information one has is from that media...

Yes I also remember the base of the pillars being there in the early 2000s but I'm not so sure about the pillars. Definately the viaduct across the river was being built in 2001/2.

The accuracy of the media on many topics leaves much to be desired. I would hate to think how bad in the thai press it is if I could read thai...

[Wisarut]

Governor Abhirak siad the test run across Chao Phraya will be started in August 2008 ... and the full service across Chao Phraya will be started in March 2009.

So far Bombadier has installed the signal 14.13% .. delayed by 2%

For the case of Taksin - Phetkasem, BMA is trying to selecvt the consultant company to draft TOR ... and the it will take 20 months to construct the stations and inbstall the system along the route. The sectio nto Phetkasem will be opened by the end of June 2010.




http://www.manager.co.th/QOL/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000064260

[Yappofloyd]

Governor Abhirak siad the test run across Chao Phraya will be started in August 2008 ... and the full service across Chao Phraya will be started in March 2009.

So far Bombadier has installed the signal 14.13% .. delayed by 2%

For the case of Taksin - Phetkasem, BMA is trying to selecvt the consultant company to draft TOR ... and the it will take 20 months to construct the stations and inbstall the system along the route. The sectio nto Phetkasem will be opened by the end of June 2010.

http://www.manager.co.th/QOL/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9510000064260


ONly 15% of the signalling has been completed! Wow, if it is going that slow then I imagine August will turn into Oct (although Apirak will still be keen to have it commence before the BMA elections). Still it will be great to see some rolling stock finally run on that 2.2km ext.

Very happy to hear that something is finally, finally being done about building the stations for the Phetkasem ext as well. Nice to have some good news.

[Wisarut]

ONly 15% of the signalling has been completed! Wow, if it is going that slow then I imagine August will turn into Oct (although Apirak will still be keen to have it commence before the BMA elections). Still it will be great to see some rolling stock finally run on that 2.2km ext.

Very happy to hear that something is finally, finally being done about building the stations for the Phetkasem ext as well. Nice to have some good news.

Now, Khun Aphirak said the section from Saphan Taksin to Taksin road will start at 10 Baht for the first year of service.

Furthemore, Khun Aphirak siad he is going to push the construction of station from Taksin Intersection to Phetkasem (5.3 km) to be ready for service in June 2010.

http://www.manager.co.th/Home/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=951000006428

[The Enforcer!]

although Apirak will still be keen to have it commence before the BMA elections

Do we have a date for the Gubernatiorial election yet?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

Do we have a date for the Gubernatiorial election yet?

The Enforcer!


The Upcoming BMA Gubernatiorial election is 5 October 2008

[The Enforcer!]

Thanks -another alcohol-free day!

[Wisarut]

Thanks -another alcohol-free day!

Then, you better stock booze into 200-litre barrels to ensure that you will have some booze during election days ... :eek: :) ;D ;)

[The Enforcer!]

Then, you better stock booze into 200-litre barrels to ensure that you will have some booze during election days ... :eek: :) ;D ;)

Admittedly it is not I who have a probelm .... it is the thousands to millions of tourists who come here for their dream holiday only to find it dry!

Certainly a great Welcome to Thailand.

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

ONly 15% of the signalling has been completed! Wow, if it is going that slow then I imagine August will turn into Oct (although Apirak will still be keen to have it commence before the BMA elections). Still it will be great to see some rolling stock finally run on that 2.2km ext.

Very happy to hear that something is finally, finally being done about building the stations for the Phetkasem ext as well. Nice to have some good news.

Err, BTS and BMA better prepare to deal with via ducts connecting The Mall Tha Phra as well as Talad Ploo Railway station to allow those who take Mahachai commuters to go into Siam Square or so ... and force SRT to do some renovation on Talad Ploo station even though Re line commuter has not reached Wongwian Yai yet.

BTW, SRT just added more ballast for both Mahcahi section and Banlaem section ... after replacign the old 50 lb rail with 70 lb rail taken from the main lines in year 2000.

[GWR]

Silom extended-electric train route to operate early next year

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) expresses confidence that the electric train route extension on the Silom Line will start providing transportation services in March next year.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin says the extended route, beginning from Thonburi Station to Wongwian Yai (วงเวียนใหญ่) Station, is 2.2 kilometers and the signaling system is now being installed. More than 40% of the system has been completed and a train operation testing is expected to take place during the period from December, 2008, to January, 2009, the governor says.

The governor states that BMA has instructed the Traffic and Transportation Department to turn an area under the Thonburi Station into a Park & Ride area which can accommodate about 200 personal cars. In addition, BMA has planned to arrange 10 routes of shuttle buses, two for each route, to transport electric train passengers.

As for the fares, Mr Apirak says they will start at 10 baht which is the same rate used by the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BMTA) during the first phase of its operation. However, the governor says BMA will discuss the fares again with relevant units.
http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255108060006

Very garbled message about :"Thonburi Station" there. Do they mean there will be shuttle buses from the real Thonburi Station, or are they just referring to Wongwianyai Station on the Thonburi side of the river. Either way, I wouldn't want to park my car under it at times of the year when floods occur. Perhaps they mean 'South'.

[Yappofloyd]

^Typical bad reporting and garbled is indeed the operative word.

I dont know what the Thonburi is meant but certainly not the SRT station. The fact the artcile say "beginning from Thonburi..." then this would mean Saphan Taksin station unless the writer is referring to the BTS station which is meant to be built immediately west of Thannon Charoen Nakhon near the river but which was not built for this extension. (Remembering that the actual name of the 1 station of the ext is Charoen Nakhon, so maybe it is this station?).

So the September start for testing is now December given the snails pace of the installation of the signalling system (only at 40%!). At least it looks that March next year for opening will be met.

[Wisarut]

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255108060006

Very garbled message about :"Thonburi Station" there. Do they mean there will be shuttle buses from the real Thonburi Station, or are they just referring to Wongwianyai Station on the Thonburi side of the river. Either way, I wouldn't want to park my car under it at times of the year when floods occur. Perhaps they mean 'South'.

Actually, it is referign to "Krung Thonburi Station" on Krung Thonburi Road ... btu the journalist juast beocme a lazy BUM so they jsut mereely write as "Thonburi station" instead

[gwmss15]

I wish they would hurry up and open the wong wien yai BTS extension. Its finished as far as i can see. When this opens a trip to silom from rama 2 will be 40 to 60 mins quicker than now with only one transfer not anywhere up to 7!! different transfers to beat the traffic.

Are the extra BTS trains for this actually built yet and if so are they in thailand now?

Why is the progress so slow to get this line open?

Is it due to the single platform at Saphan Taksin station?

What are the planned routes of the new BMTA shuttle buses from wong wien yai BTS station?
Will these routes travel deep into western Thonburi or even into Mahachai city or Nakhon pathom city (salaya)?

Will any of these new shuttle buses get bus lanes or power to change traffic lights to green so they can get to the stations much quicker than the route 76?

Is there any plan to create a station on the BTS that links up with an improved SRT mahachai/Maeklong train service?

[von Hirschhorn]

Why is the progress so slow to get this line open?
Is it due to the single platform at Saphan Taksin station?

The latter I doubt. If (even)any simple Thai constructor can build a complete house within half a year, why should a extension take years and years and years?
Because there's more between heaven and earth than construction work. Someone, somewhere in the bureaucratic system has strong self interest and seeming capable to ophold things until his (or maybe even hers) demands are for filled. Unfortunate I can not proof it, if I could... oh boy! To pin point exactly where the shoe is pinching, means pain for one but relief for many others.:D