Thread: Airport rail link to open in a 'few months'

Airport Rail Link service postponed due to ongoing rally
Boonsong Lipimas

BANGKOK, 29 April 2010 (NNT) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has indefinitely postponed the opening date of its airport rail link service for safety reasons due to the ongoing protest.

Transport Minister Sopon Zarum stated that the postponement of the airport rail link service which was earlier scheduled to open on 30 April came after the prolonged political conflict and the recent BTS seizure case of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors.

The indefinite postponement was made to ensure passenger safety.

Mr Sopon affirmed that the Airport Rail Link service will be opened for commercial purpose on July, as scheduled.

Interested rail operators who want to join the test run service can still report themselves with the required documents to the SRT. During this time, the ministry would frequently conduct test runs to build confidence among the commuters before the official service started, Mr Sopon added.
thainews.prd.go.th

^ And I was just going to say it was starting tomorrow. I was looking at the timetable in the terminal at lunchtime..

Good for them that they have an excuse now.

^^ You could use Dotcom's imaginary station though....

Trains been whizzing along the lines for the last couple of days.

Originally Posted by Chili Pepper

Originally Posted by Beadle

Originally Posted by Lobster

They built it for the million or so people and tourists/businessmen/whore mongers who live and stay in hotels on sukhumvit.

But it doesn't go anywhere near Sukhumvit.

Terminal station is 2 min walk to the Phetchaburi MRTA, one more stop takes you to Sukhumvit/Asok.

A shoestring budget backpacker could walk to Sukhumvit from there. To a whore monger its merely a cock stride.

People will have a lot of fun opening their suitcases to be checked for the MRT ride, not to mention getting them down/up the escalators on/off the train.

I would be happy to use an imaginary station provided I could use the imaginary train of choice- ridin' the TGV to Swampy next time!

I was convinced that they would link it with the regular BTS, now what's the point of the whole thing, apart from being really expensive, if it isn't interconnected ?

Originally Posted by plorf

I was convinced that they would link it with the regular BTS, now what's the point of the whole thing, apart from being really expensive, if it isn't interconnected ?

I was expecting a special train to run on the BTS tracks, one with luggage racks, like the ones they have to/from the airport in (wait for it. . .) Tokyo. So far as I am concerned, I might try it once, just to say I did, if I have only carry-ons.

The train is not entirely senseless.

The difference between express and normal lines seems minimal (15 vs. 40 min travel time... with less points of access and probably longer wait times for the express). I do hope the express trains will eventually continue on to Phaya Thai and connect to BTS (would be very easy technically).

The main problem at the airport was not that taxis are expensive, but that the place is so messed up (on purpose) that first-time visitors cannot find the metered taxis. Also, I noticed lately that the crappiest taxis in BKK (old, smelly clappers) tend to wait at the airport -- no choice due to the queue.

Scenarios train will be useful for:
* First time visitors (who can't find the taxis). May not save them time, but will save them the hassle.
* Picking up or sending off a friend at the airport (400+ baht saving on the simple operation, if using the normal train).
* Frequent fliers living near BTS/MRT, traveling lightly can shave 30 min off their travel time.
* Taxis are *normally* quick, but not reliably so. A 25 min ride can take 90 min at the wrong time of day... so it's 90 min effectively, unless you're ok with missing your flight. The train is predicable at all times.
* Most importantly, it will enable development near ALL the new stations. Property values will rise, new businesses will open and existing ones will get more traffic.

I do wish they had BTS/MRT to Morchit Bus Terminal (and not just to the confusingly named Morchit BTS station, which is 20+ min/100 baht away)...

Originally Posted by crocodilexp

I do wish they had BTS/MRT to Morchit Bus Terminal (and not just to the confusingly named Morchit BTS station, which is 20+ min/100 baht away)...

The bus terminal and the BTS station is practically in walking distance of each other. If you use 20+ min with taxi then you`ve been taken for a real ride..

Originally Posted by spark

Originally Posted by crocodilexp

I do wish they had BTS/MRT to Morchit Bus Terminal (and not just to the confusingly named Morchit BTS station, which is 20+ min/100 baht away)...

The bus terminal and the BTS station is practically in walking distance of each other. If you use 20+ min with taxi then you`ve been taken for a real ride..

Got in the wrong side of the street and had to make the roundabout U turn to get there.

TH

Originally Posted by Thaihome

Got in the wrong side of the street and had to make the roundabout U turn to get there.

TH

Correct, takes ages by taxi, ridiculous. They really have to work on the interconnectedness of all public transport in Thailand, it's so inconvenient.

Looking forward to the day it open.
I live on Asoke and thus have the MRT & BTS on my doorstep.
5 mins walk to the Airport station. Brilliant!

Airport Link on public test run on 1 June
Rungkarn Rujiwarangkul

BANGKOK, 31 May 2010 (NNT) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) voices its readiness to put the Airport Rail Link on another public test run tomorrow.

SRT Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen affirmed that the authority was ready to open the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link to the public for another trial run on 1 June after the operating system had been thoroughly tested.

The Airport Rail Link will be tested in 2 separate sessions tomorrow, from 07.00-10.00 hrs for the morning session and from 16.00-19.00 hrs in the evening. The train will do round trips from Phaya Thai station in downtown Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi International Airport without stopping at any stations along the line. Another trial run is expected to be held in mid-June with stops at Hua Mark and Ramkhamhaeng stations.

People who would like to partake in the test run can contact the office at Phaya Thai station or Suvarnabhumi International Airport for free tickets before boarding. For more information on the Airport Rail Link, please contact the SRT hotline 1690 or 0-2222-0175, 0-2220-4268, and 0-2220-4261, 24 hours a day.

thainews.prd.go.th

Originally Posted by Mid

Airport Link on public test run on 1 June
Rungkarn Rujiwarangkul

BANGKOK, 31 May 2010 (NNT) – The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) voices its readiness to put the Airport Rail Link on another public test run tomorrow.

SRT Governor Yuthana Thapcharoen affirmed that the authority was ready to open the Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link to the public for another trial run on 1 June after the operating system had been thoroughly tested.

The Airport Rail Link will be tested in 2 separate sessions tomorrow, from 07.00-10.00 hrs for the morning session and from 16.00-19.00 hrs in the evening. The train will do round trips from Phaya Thai station in downtown Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi International Airport without stopping at any stations along the line. Another trial run is expected to be held in mid-June with stops at Hua Mark and Ramkhamhaeng stations.

People who would like to partake in the test run can contact the office at Phaya Thai station or Suvarnabhumi International Airport for free tickets before boarding. For more information on the Airport Rail Link, please contact the SRT hotline 1690 or 0-2222-0175, 0-2220-4268, and 0-2220-4261, 24 hours a day.

thainews.prd.go.th

Last time i called that number the were so shocked,they told me internet wrong.
Where you get this number.
But my guess it will open someday,but up to them.
If this thread is still going in 5 more years don't be surprised.
Probably still doing the odd test run once a year then.

They said all this 2 yrs 1 year ago etc
I suppose it wil open oneday cannot se much use to me but more it takes off rds the better
Be ful of first timers and slckpackers and their unique aroma and pickpockets of course

[quote=Beadle;1347445]There's a lot of animosity between the Government and Siemens at the moment due to this, and also due to the fact Siemens' contract for servicing of the BTS trains and computer systems expires after 10 years, and the Government is set not to renew, but do all the servicing themselves to try and save money.

I'm in agreement.
Siemens runs a tidy organization.
There's probably more to this tale.

Hua Mak, Ramkhamnaeng Airport Rail Link stations to be launched on 15 June
Panita Norasing

BANGKOK, 12 June 2010 (NNT) – On 15 June 2010 Airport Rail Link will be opened for trial services at Ramkhamhaeng and Hua Mak stations to serve suburban commuters with the electric train test drive.

State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Yuttana Tapcharoen stated that the Airport Rail Link had tested the electric train since 1 June 2010 and on 15 June the SRT planned to open more stations at Ramkhamhaeng and Hua Mak stations for the test. Also Lat Krabang station has been planned to open for the test on June 21.

There will be five stations for the service this June including Phya Thai, Ramkhamhaeng, Hua Mak, Lat Krabang and Suvarnabhumi. All eight stations in the plan will be launched by this July both for inbound and outbound trips.

The train runs on Monday – Friday during two period of 07.00-10.00 hrs and 16.00-19.00 hrs. Passengers can contact directly at the five-station for ticket, or by calling Hot Line 1690 and 0-2220-4261 and 0-2220-4268.

thainews.prd.go.th

Originally Posted by Mid

On 15 June 2010 Airport Rail Link will be opened for trial services at Ramkhamhaeng and Hua Mak stations

When will the station at the top of Thong Lor open?

Originally Posted by Bobcock

When will the station at the top of Thong Lor open?

Makasan Station?

Amazing race to Suvarnabhumi
14/06/2010

The Airport Rail Link to Suvarnabhumi has finally arrived after almost four years of waiting. But while it may be the talk of the town, there are still teething troubles and complaints about service and problems at the Makkasan terminal.

For those who have yet to travel on the new train, the Bangkok Post sent two reporters on a race to the airport - one by high-speed train, the other by taxi, which many say is faster and cheaper. Both started from the same point at Siam Paragon last Tuesday morning.

Our Airport Link commuter took 46 minutes and spent just 67 baht - 37 baht for a taxi plus 30 baht for a motorbike taxi - as the train is currently free, but it will cost 150 baht once fully operational. Her competitor paid 270 baht, including 70 baht in expressway tolls, for her 25-minute cab ride.

Whatever the result of our amazing race, the taxi/train debate will continue for some time.

bangkokpost.com

Cab. Much less hassle especially with luggage.

You just know this rail link is going to be an utter disaster.

Originally Posted by Mid

Our Airport Link commuter took 46 minutes and spent just 67 baht - 37 baht for a taxi plus 30 baht for a motorbike taxi

How did they get on the motorbike taxi with a suitcase and hand luggage?

I fly Etihad and fly up the pointy end n they provide a Merc.