Crowded BTS trains – will it ever get better?

[Aricius Merlinus]

I commute from Phra Khanong to Chit Lom and vice versa every workday. Ever since the Sukhumvit Line was extended to Bearing, there are tons of people on the trains.

On my morning commute, the platform for the northbound train is sometimes crowded almost to overflowing. Even when there aren’t many people on the platform, when the trains pull up at the platform they are already almost completely full, so that only a few people can shove their way in as each new train arrives. In fairness, there does seem to be an ‘extra’ train that comes at rare intervals which is only slightly full. In contrast, the southbound platform is almost totally barren, with only one or two people waiting to catch the train.

The northbound trains often come 5 minutes or more apart, while the southbound trains arrive like clockwork every 2 minutes or so. And these southbound trains are nearly empty!

Now, I know one can’t apply Western ‘common sense’ here. But still, one would think that, 5 months after extending the Sukhumvit Line, someone somewhere at the BTS would have said, “Hey, Somchai, have you noticed that there’s hardly anyone using the southbound trains, while the northbound trains are jam packed? Here’s an idea – let’s make the northbound trains longer by adding more cars or have more trains running on the northbound route.” And vice versa for the evening commute.

So, is it ever going to get any better? Is there any chance at all that someone somewhere might be hit with this brilliant idea in a year or two? Or am I expecting too much?

[harrybarracuda]

Perhaps the Northbound trains take longer to travel the route because they have more passengers loading at each stop?

Just a thought.....

Or have you noticed the same behaviour going home?

[watdog]

no. should have been here pre-skytrain...you would laugh at your current situation.

[harrybarracuda]

I have to say I'm amazed at the uptake, considering how empty it used to be when it first opened.

The Dubai metro was the same, everyone said the locals wouldn't use it, "it's "beneath them" they snivelled, but when the boys realised they could get somewhere in ten minutes instead of an hour, they lapped it up.

It's a great success and has totally revolutionised transport in Dubai.

I'm sure they'll extended it to Abu Dhabi and beyond.

[Orroz]

A great selling point of all the brand new apartment buildings springing up in On Nut and beyond is that it's within walking distance of the sky train.Unfortunately, it just can't cope with increase in passengers. I hear that they're going to introduce the longer trains{that they currently have on the Silom line} in April, but don't quote me on that!

[madjbs]

I hate the BTS these days, it's far too busy. I would rather take twice as long to get somewhere and have the comfort of my car.

[sabaii sabaii]

So, is it ever going to get any better? Is there any chance at all that someone somewhere might be hit with this brilliant idea in a year or two? Or am I expecting too much?

Berlin, Germany, 2010-Nov-22
Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) has placed a EUR42 million order with Siemens Mobility for another 35 trailer cars for the Thai capital’s elevated rapid transit system, BTS Skytrain. Train service on the Sukhumvit Line is to start gradually from the end of 2012.

The newly ordered trailer cars are to be put into service successively on the Sukhumvit Line as of the end of 2012 and lengthen the trains already in operation from 3-car to 4-car multiple units. This increase in capacity is necessary in order to cope with the dramatic rise in ridership. Currently, the BTS system transports about 460,000 people per day on the Sukhumvit Line. Each car has 4seats and standing room for 240 persons. The 750 V DC power supply comes from the conductor rail. The trailer cars are to be pre-assembled at the Siemens plant in Vienna, Austria and undergo final assembly in Bangkok. The delivery of these cars is to continue into 2013.

Press Releases - Siemens Global Website

[baldrick]

as of the end of 2012

a whole year ? and 1 extra car - bwahahahaha

[sabaii sabaii]

Talking of these things,

I was at Suvarnibhumi on Saturday and went to get on the Airport Express train to Phaya Thai. I was told by the staff at the counter "not work", so I got on the one that stops at every stop for 35 baht. It was full from the start, I managed to squeeze myself on,a lot of people couldn't and had to wait with their plastic coin for the next one. then when it arrived at the first station, where the doors open on the opposite side, more people got on than off. For the rest of the journey I couldn't even move my feet, people were packed in there so tight.

I don't know if this is a regular occurrence on the 35 baht train, but I will never subject myself to that again

[Bogon]

^Was on the slow one on Monday at 12pm from Lat Krabang into town and it was around 70% full. Everyone could play Angry Birds, check Facebook or show off their tablets without too much hindrance.
The whiteskins with their suitcases always look a bit bewildered though as they realise that they may have taken the wrong option of getting on the train instead of spending another 200 baht on a taxi.

[Pumpui]

If you think the BTS is crowded you should try travelling the Tokyo Metro in the morning or evening rush. After a few months of that I gave up and walked the half hour journey each morning and evening, much more pleasant.

[dirtydog]

walked the half hour journey each morning and evening

Probably done you the world of good, maybe even lose some weight, so, should large or fat people be charged more for public transport?

[sunsetter]

to the OP, by the time your fecked about going up getting ticket/crossing barriers, waiting for a train, then off, through barrier down stairs, you couldve jumped on a free buss and gone that short distance.

[DJ Pat]

no. should have been here pre-skytrain...you would laugh at your current situation.

Imagine the disruption while it was being built...

[sunsetter]

nice pics pat, got anymore?

[Pumpui]

Probably do me the world of good too, maybe even lose some weight and my inflated ego.

[DJ Pat]

nice pics pat, got anymore?

Just put them all in a new thread in this section.