Bangkok traffic nightmare: Motorists face more congestion and frustration

[rooster59]

Bangkok traffic nightmare: Motorists face more congestion and frustration

By NOPHAKHUN LIMSAMARNPHUN 
THE NATION WEEKEND

 

Traffic at Bangkok’s Lat Phrao intersection where a major Skytrain line is being constructed is set to worsen as another four mass transit lines are about to be built.

 

Bangkok motorists who already struggle with the city’s chocked roads face even more congestion and frustration.

 

PARTS OF Bangkok are facing years of gridlock as major projects – to build five additional major lines of Skytrain and subway simultaneously – are set to throw the city’s already logjammed roads into further chaos.

 

Three of the lines are due for completion in about three years while the other two will take up to five years.

 

 

The huge mass-transit undertaking – covering a total of 103 kilometres – will undoubtedly impede the city’s crawling traffic flow, especially during morning and evening rush hours, as one or two lanes of nearly 10 major roads will be closed during the construction period.

 

To help mitigate the impending traffic nightmare, authorities are preparing a number of options for motorists to avoid the construction areas.

 

At present, 65 per cent of the city’s residents use private vehicles to get to work and return home, while only 35 per cent use the city’s skytrains, subways, buses, taxis and other modes of public transport.

 

Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, director-general of the Transport and Traffic Policy Planning Office, told The Nationthat motorists who live on or near the affected areas should leave their cars at home and take shuttle bus services to the nearest Airport Link, BTS and MRT stations.

 

 

The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, which runs the city’s bus services, is working on a number of special shuttle bus routes for motorists who usually drive to work into the city from the suburbs.

 

Min Buri, a major Bangkok suburb, is one area where shuttle bus services will be available for commuters to reach Airport Link, BTS skytrain and MRT stations to get into the city, bypassing construction sites on the busy Ramkhamhaeng and Phra Ram 9 roads.

 

Chaiwat said a recent survey shows that private and other vehicles move at a speed of only 15km/h on average during the morning rush hours from 6am to 9am, while the average speed during the evening rush hours from 4pm to 7pm, is about 19km/h.

 

Average speeds are measured during rush hours on the city’s Ratchadaphisek inner-ring roads.

 

 

Over the next three to four years, traffic across the city is likely to move slower from the impact of the widespread construction work to expand the city’s skytrain and subway network from the current 109km to a total of 212km.

 

Given the city’s population and the number of vehicles on the road, Bangkok already has limited road capacity as the city’s road surface currently accounts for just 9 per cent of the city’s total urban area, compared to 25 per cent for Tokyo and 30 per cent for New York City.

 

Statistics show that about 1,000 new vehicles are registered and added to the traffic on a daily basis.

 

New roads are difficult to build and expensive due to the lack of space and high cost of city land expropriation. The government has expedited the construction of skytrain and subway projects to boost the city’s mass transit capacity in the hope of easing the demand for private vehicles.

 

During the construction period, Chaiwat also advised motorists to consider using alternative routes, such as the outlying motorway and expressway routes to bypass building sites.

 

 

Another option is to use the commuter boat service on Khlong Saen Saeb, the city’s major canal, which runs from Min Buri in the suburb to Pratunam in the inner-city area. There are a total of 28 piers in residential and commercial areas along Khlong Saen Saeb.

 

Motorists are also urged to check traffic conditions on mobile apps before leaving home to avoid traffic congestion during peak hours.

 

The good news for all Bangkok residents is that the city is on its way to having one of the world’s largest skytrain and subway networks.

 

Chaiwat said the next stage of expansion is already planned to more than double the combined 212km network to a total of 464km. This will turn the Bangkok system into one of the world’s top five networks.

 

On average, a total of 2.65 million commuters use public transportation each day. It is hoped that the ratio of people using public transport will jump to 50 per cent of the population in coming decades, up from the present 35 per cent.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30352400

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-08-18

 

 

[Lungstib]

33 minutes ago, rooster59 said:

Statistics show that about 1,000 new vehicles are registered and added to the traffic on a daily basis.

What a startling statistic. It seems that no matter how awful things are the optimistic Bangkokian thinks having a car will solve their transport problems. And they probably end up paying 6000b a month for the privilege of sitting in those traffic jams. For the minimum wage labourer on 330b a day both car and skytrain are beyond their finances, no wonder you see workers living in partially finished condominiums, its the only way to be at work on time.

[mok199]

machete and baseball bat sales will sky rocket...

[a977]

So they have finally worked out how to utilize their old smoke belching buses to best affect, take the commuters to the nearest train station so they are not on the roads causing congestion, other countries have been doing this for years wake up Thailand. In Perth Australia you never see buses in the CBD except for those that give a free shuttle service to passengers around the city centre, they usually ply their trade between train stations, Geez BMA how hard is it to work that out  and I'm not a General nor do I have a big nose

[impulse]

41 minutes ago, a977 said:

So they have finally worked out how to utilize their old smoke belching buses to best affect, take the commuters to the nearest train station so they are not on the roads causing congestion, other countries have been doing this for years wake up Thailand. In Perth Australia you never see buses in the CBD except for those that give a free shuttle service to passengers around the city centre, they usually ply their trade between train stations, Geez BMA how hard is it to work that out  and I'm not a General nor do I have a big nose

 

When BKK hotels start charging Perth rates, maybe there will be free shuttle buses in the BKK CBD.   But that will present a whole 'nother set of problems.  Like no tourists.

 

[eggers]

Read Prayut had inspected various areas earlier this week to see both, the projects progress & the traffic congestion...

No doubt when he uses the roads all the traffic is miraculously clear, as police clear way for him & certain others to travel without congestion.

Irrespective of the congestion being caused by the major projects, majority of roads around BKK are congested due to ever increasing volume of vehicles on road + the crazy unco-ordinated traffic lights system & timing sequences. Even with Police boxes,  at most major  intersections, Police never do anything to regulate the traffic, just sit on their  a***s in their "little boxes"!! 

[peperobi]

The general just got a look, the problem doesn't persist anymore...?

[peperobi]

3 minutes ago, eggers said:

Read Prayut had inspected various areas earlier this week to see both, the projects progress & the traffic congestion...

No doubt when he uses the roads all the traffic is miraculously clear, as police clear way for him & certain others to travel without congestion.

Irrespective of the congestion being caused by the major projects, majority of roads around BKK are congested due to ever increasing volume of vehicles on road + the crazy unco-ordinated traffic lights system & timing sequences. Even with Police boxes,  at most major  intersections, Police never do anything to regulate the traffic, just sit on their  a***s in their "little boxes"!! 

Don't forget TV is a must!

[AhFarangJa]

I thought the glorious one ordered that traffic problems be solved in three months........

[dhind1]

The trains are already full during the morning and evening rush hours. Until they add more carriages I do not see how anyone else will consider them a viable alternative. Both the sky train and the underground desperately need more carriages for the people who want to use them.

I have waited for 3 or 4 trains before just trying to get on a train to then stand sandwiched like a sardine, The stations have capacity for more carriages, why are they not in use?

[SoilSpoil]

Compare Bangkok's street plans with that of any other city in the world and you'll realize that its the worst planned city in the world. All the new lines will not improve the situation. How will the people of Bangkok (the millions not living and working along the lines) get to the stations? They will prefer hpurs of traffic.

[Boon Mee]

It's definitely gotten worse over the last few years. When the new JJ Tollway opened a while ago, congestion eased from Bang Yai across town but noted the other day it was crowded. Even given the high toll fee of ? baht 

[madmitch]

2 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The good news for all Bangkok residents is that the city is on its way to having one of the world’s largest skytrain and subway networks.

 

But other cities had their networks up and running years ago, before the number of cars on the roads increased to today's levels worldwide. 

 

 

[Number 6]

19 minutes ago, dhind1 said:

The trains are already full during the morning and evening rush hours. Until they add more carriages I do not see how anyone else will consider them a viable alternative. Both the sky train and the underground desperately need more carriages for the people who want to use them.

I have waited for 3 or 4 trains before just trying to get on a train to then stand sandwiched like a sardine, The stations have capacity for more carriages, why are they not in use?

Riding the MRT in rush hour is so unpleasant. It's full of poor, working and middle class phone zombies that bunch themselves up at the doors and steadfastly refuse to get on and off to allow people to alight. BEM needs to run logistic and politeness campaigns to get the zombies and lemmings to make this a less hateful experience. Not BEM minders but actual police stationed and controlling behavior, pulling people aside, warnings and noting names of misdemeanor.

 

The phone addicts, endless flickings and browsing of nothingness. The stultifying glaze in their eyes.

 

No lie, BEM MRT could move 25% more people if everyone just put their phones away. It's only what 35minutes end to end? I've lost immense respect for Thai people and humanity in the last year. God help us when phones go away and glasses reappear.

 

[connda]

There are solutions, but like traffic laws, there is little or no will to enforce them - nor does it seem that there is sufficient expertise in the area of traffic and municipal planning to fill a thimble. 
Thailand is a solely reactionary society.  Here, any individual wearing the title of 'Planner' is actually a walking oxymoron.  Or if such a unicorn exists in modern Thailand, then good long-term ideas generated by forward thinking and knowledgeable academics and experts  are no doubt quashed in the name of politics or though the machinations of implicit corruption. 
There is a lot of hot air expelled in the area of Democracy Circle in Thailand, but naught in the way implementation of long-term solutions that actually work. 
Me personally?  I don't live there. I really don't care.  Big cities are a novelty to visit on rare occasions when time is readily available and 'leisure' it the word of the day.

Edited August 18, 2018 by connda

[arithai12]

Traffic? Already riding the sky train is a stressful experience. So glad I don't have to live in Bangkok.

[Xonax]

Quote: "Chaiwat Thongkamkoon, director-general of the Transport and Traffic Policy Planning Office, told The Nationthat motorists who live on or near the affected areas should leave their cars at home and take shuttle bus services to the nearest Airport Link, BTS and MRT stations."

As if BTS and MRT are not already severely congested during all hours!

[Srikcir]

3 hours ago, rooster59 said:

motorists who live on or near the affected areas should leave their cars at home and take shuttle bus services to the nearest Airport Link, BTS and MRT stations.

I find it frustrating to be standing on the BTS above street traffic during rush hours and going no faster than the traffic below! If I had the choice between being sitting in a roomy and air conditioned vehicle instead of pressed up against a stranger in stale air, unable to even move my arms lest I strike someone - I'd rather be on the street.

[trianglechoke]

wow you lot moan.

After years of being belittled by u lot English teachers are having the last laugh.

$2000 a month and working from home online.

..

 No traffic,  wake up at 10 or 11.... sleep when we like.

Som nam naaa farang

Edited August 18, 2018 by trianglechoke

[krystian]

"Chaiwat also advised motorists to consider using alternative routes, such as the outlying motorway and expressway routes to bypass building sites"

- Yes I use that however at the exit of Rama 9 road (The Nine shopping center) Lazy a$$ traffick cops turned it into a bottle neck making it a 1 lane exit from a 2 lane, traffic reaches the RAM INTRA RAMKAMHENG EXIT the this was not the case before those lazy traffic cops did this. 

 

Make them work their asses of instead of waving those flash lights or whatever they call it.

[sungod]

9 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

If I had the choice between being sitting in a roomy and air conditioned vehicle instead of pressed up against a stranger in stale air,

Was thinking the same the other day, then realised how lucky I was being crammed up against other people in a country where people's personal hygiene is generally good, IE people shower here. Imagine the same in other Asia countries to the west ?

[digger70]

1 hour ago, AhFarangJa said:

I thought the glorious one ordered that traffic problems be solved in three months........

He got that wrong Not even 30 years will solve the problem with the way they trying to run the country. Not enough money and workers that are Willing to Work is/are available

[mike324]

3 hours ago, Lungstib said:

What a startling statistic. It seems that no matter how awful things are the optimistic Bangkokian thinks having a car will solve their transport problems. And they probably end up paying 6000b a month for the privilege of sitting in those traffic jams. For the minimum wage labourer on 330b a day both car and skytrain are beyond their finances, no wonder you see workers living in partially finished condominiums, its the only way to be at work on time.

I agree, no matter how much they build. The low income will never be able to afford to take the bts. So they still resort to buses and vans. Thailands bts is somewhat expensive given the distance that it travels compare to other more developed nations.

[dave moir]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

 

When BKK hotels start charging Perth rates, maybe there will be free shuttle buses in the BKK CBD.   But that will present a whole 'nother set of problems.  Like no tourists.

 

There are already free busses in Bangkok! 

[sawadeeken]

NOT TO WORRY............Payute is on it now and will have it fixed....... in.... what was it?........3 months

[Jack P]

Privatise the roads. Let the prices reflect the demand levels just like airports. Making the roads virtually free to use will cause shortages.

[Bangkok Barry]

I wonder how many people commute in Bangkok each day. And how many spend at least an hour locked in traffic each way. It must amount to millions of lost man-hours. Every single day. Life just wasted in traffic.

[TPI]

2 hours ago, dhind1 said:

The trains are already full during the morning and evening rush hours. Until they add more carriages I do not see how anyone else will consider them a viable alternative. Both the sky train and the underground desperately need more carriages for the people who want to use them.

I have waited for 3 or 4 trains before just trying to get on a train to then stand sandwiched like a sardine, The stations have capacity for more carriages, why are they not in use?

Because when they initially ordered the trains they only ordered 3 carriages for each train, against all advice! Now they can't get new carriages for over 10 years as the world has geared up and the production lines are only so long!!

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, SoilSpoil said:

Compare Bangkok's street plans with that of any other city in the world and you'll realize that its the worst planned city in the world. All the new lines will not improve the situation. How will the people of Bangkok (the millions not living and working along the lines) get to the stations? They will prefer hpurs of traffic.

It wasn't planned that's the issue..

Big developers building companies, hotels, shopping malls, condos etc etc has been happening for years with no thought whatsoever given to how people will move around the city, let alone drive or where they're going to park.

It's a mess without adequate attention by the developers or city managers.

And certainly lacking in any plan!

[newnative]

Not only more carriage cars but also more frequent trains.  The horrible, old disgusting buses all need to be crushed and modern, nice, air-conditioned ones put on the road, on all routes.  The idea is to get people out of their cars but you need to have a viable alternative.  Horrible buses and packed trains aren't going to do it.