BTS Class-Action Suit Back On Track After Year Delay

By Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer

 

Deputy Bangkok Gov. Amnuay Nimmano assists disabled right activist Manit Inpim to the platform of BTS Ratchadamri on Friday.

 

BANGKOK — A judicial committee settled a year-long challenge Monday over which court should hear a class-action suit filed by wheelchair users against City Hall for repeated delays in to making the BTS Skytrain accessible.

 

The seven-member committee – which included the presidents of the Supreme and Supreme Administrative courts – ruled Monday that the matter should fall under the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court because it has to do with “dereliction of duty” on the part of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, or BMA.

 

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/transpo/2018/01/22/bts-class-action-suit-back-track-year-delay/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-1-22

Like any large enterprise in Thailand, it is above the law. As it has proved by having done nothing since a court order in 2015. It has taken all this time to even decide what court should hear the case. Can you imagine how long it will be in court as the arguments and blame about failed contractors etc go back and forth.

Even with the ones that have lifts, some stations turn it off on purpose. You have to press the call button for them to turn it on. Some stations, there isn't even a call button and its always turned off.

Don't get me started on the BTS again. BTSC, the BOT concession holder, drags its feet on system improvements, including adding capacity, even as passenger numbers go through the roof. As it is, the system is overloaded for much of the day. In a few years' time it will be totally unfit for purpose. Meanwhile fares rise and become ever more unaffordable for the vast army of Thai manual workers paid at or near minimum wage, so they are forced into sweltering buses in the already almost stationary traffic. 

Price was increased last Oct to 'improve' services. I can only see trains more crowded and more stops between stops. For disabled individuals with no own transportation, sorry to say, this is not a country you can live with public transportation. 

That's the BTS for you. Wonder how much changed hands (and how many hands were held out) when the contract was 'renegotiated'.

21 minutes ago, shady86 said:

Price was increased last Oct to 'improve' services. I can only see trains more crowded and more stops between stops. For disabled individuals with no own transportation, sorry to say, this is not a country you can live with public transportation. 

That would been to improve services for the management.