What's the point of taking BTS?

[josephbloggs]

1 minute ago, mercman24 said:

and the next MOANER will be arriving soon lol

Sometimes I have to wait for three moaners to pass before I can even get in to the thread.

[josephbloggs]

1 hour ago, fruitman said:

Have you seen the hundreds of birds living in the beams of the stations? They make a lot of noise, shit everywhere and when they have birdflue the stations have to be closed....they even shit on the road underneath it and there are loads and loads of them.

What on earth are you talking about?  Bird flu closing stations?  Please tell me one single time anything like that has ever happened.

 

People making things up about not being able to get on it for several trains at all times of the day is one thing.  But the BTS being infested with birds and stations being closed due to bird flu is a whopper I haven't come across before.

[fruitman]

31 minutes ago, josephbloggs said:

What on earth are you talking about?  Bird flu closing stations?  Please tell me one single time anything like that has ever happened.

 

People making things up about not being able to get on it for several trains at all times of the day is one thing.  But the BTS being infested with birds and stations being closed due to bird flu is a whopper I haven't come across before.

If you haven't seen those birds you haven't been to the right stations..

[gjoo888]

Unless you have to, stay away from the BTS and MRT during commute hours. I just got home from taking the BTS and MRT about an hour ago. There was no one at the ticket vending machines at both the Siam BTS station and Sukhumvit MRT station, and I also got a seat on both legs of the journey. I agree though, it can be awfully crowded during certain times. 

[HampiK]

4 hours ago, smutcakes said:

...

The people who claim to be waiting for 3-4 trains etc are straight up lying, unless there has been a mechanical or an 'incident' on the track.

You ever used the Skytrain in the morning hours about 7 or 8 clock? You have no clue and talking about things which you have really no knowledge.

 

The BTS is great, but there are hours were it is not possible to take the first, second or even the third train arriving, because it's already full and only a few people can go inside. 

[theguyfromanotherforum]

20 minutes ago, HampiK said:

You ever used the Skytrain in the morning hours about 7 or 8 clock? You have no clue and talking about things which you have really no knowledge.

 

The BTS is great, but there are hours were it is not possible to take the first, second or even the third train arriving, because it's already full and only a few people can go inside. 

 

Personally, I have no idea why some members are hurling personal insults for stating the obvious.

 

I first took BTS in 2004 when I was a tourist in Bangkok. I was immediately impressed, even though back then the line was in its infancy. I wasn't expecting that a developing country would have a better system than Canada, but it did. Since then, it was just getting better.

 

But, it is a fact that BTS has gotten a lot worse. I simply said that taking BTS short distance often makes no sense. Maybe some posters are angry because they don't know how to take a bus after living 10 years in Bangkok. Who knows?

Edited December 28, 2018 by theguyfromanotherforum

[samsensam]

6 minutes ago, theguyfromanotherforum said:

 

Personally, I have no idea why some members are hurling personal insults for stating the obvious.

 

I first took BTS in 2004 when I was a tourist in Bangkok. I was immediately impressed, even though back then the line was in its infancy. I wasn't expecting that a developing country would have a better system than Canada, but it did. Since then, it was just getting better.

 

But, it is a fact that BTS has gotten a lot worse. I simply said that taking BTS short distance often makes no sense. Maybe some posters are angry because they don't know how to take a bus after living 10 years in Bangkok. Who knows?

 

taking the bus better than the BTS? yes, and no... depends where you're going, how well you know bus routes and the time of day.

 

there are some who take the boat and scoff at those taking the bus...

[theguyfromanotherforum]

23 minutes ago, samsensam said:

 

 

there are some who take the boat and scoff at those taking the bus...

 

Sure, I take the boat to avoid traffic sometimes. Is it safe and can the engine blow up anytime due to fuel leakage? Sure. But you gotta do what you gotta do here.

 

BTS does have good safety standards.

Edited December 28, 2018 by theguyfromanotherforum

[Aussieroaming]

BTS is very convenient for me

[toolpush]

16 hours ago, edwardandtubs said:

 

It's a greedy, profit-driven company that wants the trains at full capacity at all times of day. That's why the trains only run once every 7 minutes in the middle of the day and are almost always packed. 

Spoken like a true socialist

[PerkinsCuthbert]

This is quite a complex, not to say fraught, topic. I have weighed in once or twice before, mainly on the subject of affordability - not for myself, but for the rump of Bangkok's population who are what in the US are known as 'blue-collar' workers. The level of fares - a return journey on the BTS may cost them 25-30% of their daily wages - forces them to take buses, which are inherently hot, uncomfortable and very often crowded, on roads which are gridlocked more often than not.

Now, despite what some may selectively deny, there are times of day and night when the system is reaching capacity, and this will only worsen as the lines are extended, more accommodation is built along planned routes, and more workers migrate into the city.

The cause of this mayhem (and that is increasingly the correct word) is, in my opinion, a failure of political will over several decades in getting an extensive public transport system planned and built. To their credit, one of the few positives I take from the usurpation of government by the present junta is their prioritising of urban transport systems. But I doubt that that in itself will solve much; indeed new lines may merely add to the problems in the future. For a real solution, people need to be persuaded to give up private transport in the city, and laws need to be enforced, and for that to happen a carrot and stick approach is needed: make it prohibitively expensive to drive, but at the same time provide an infrastructure alternative that is convenient, efficient and above all affordable to the mass of commuters. 

[Skeptic7]

I hear ya! We often take a bus for short distances along Sukhumvit. Much cheaper and just as fast or faster, at times. For longer distances...the SkyTrain is usually the best choice. It's also cheaper in many situations to get "door to door" taxi service, than taking the SkyTrain, for 2 or more people. Traffic is definitely a factor in that decision. 

[smutcakes]

4 hours ago, HampiK said:

You ever used the Skytrain in the morning hours about 7 or 8 clock? You have no clue and talking about things which you have really no knowledge.

 

The BTS is great, but there are hours were it is not possible to take the first, second or even the third train arriving, because it's already full and only a few people can go inside. 

Yes, i use it everyday going to work to and from Thonglor, the busiest Sukhumvit line. I return home from Ploenchit everyday at 5pm. I very rarely if ever, other when there is a fault have to wait for more than the 1st train. But then again i understand it is a mass transit system which is crowded and dont find it onerous if i dont get a seat! I just get on and stand for 10 minutes. If you dont like to stand in a crowded mega city mass transport system, simply go 20 minutes later or earlier. For what its worth 6.40am seems to be the cut off at Thonglor when it gets busier. Have you ever tried Tokyo? Famous for its overcrowding?

[smutcakes]

3 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

taking the bus better than the BTS? yes, and no... depends where you're going, how well you know bus routes and the time of day.

 

there are some who take the boat and scoff at those taking the bus...

Well he cannot even understand the BTS map which is straight line in English and announced in English, i highly doubt the boat would be within his capability!

[josephbloggs]

5 hours ago, fruitman said:

If you haven't seen those birds you haven't been to the right stations..

Evidently.  I use the Skytrain daily all up and down Sukhumvit and I have never seen these invasions of birds.  Silom is definitely full of birds but we can hardly blame the Skytrain for this.  But saying that hundreds of birds live in the stations is just ridiculous, and incorrect.

 

And I noticed you ignored the bit where I asked you to tell me when the stations were closed due to bird flu.  It's never happened and it is one of the most ridiculous claims I have ever read on here.

 

 

 

 

[Nyezhov]

18 hours ago, direction BANGKOK said:

Most interesting part of any "why use bts" (if that notion even exists) is why is a taxi the same price with two or three people, and the bts your cost would double/triple. 

 

I suppose I know why but bts is out when going in groups. I find taxis much more convenient, cheaper or the same price (with two or more), clean when you grab a new looking one, and contray to popular belief, by the time you have gotten from your origin to the bts, walked up the bts stairs, got your ticket, waited for a train, got off, walked down the stairs, then getting to your destination from there... it is not faster than taxis. Of course there are exceptions but often it is not faster in my opinion. 

OK. I need to gamble, so lets do a test. The day after New Years, meet me at BangWa BTS at 8:00 am. You jump into a cab, Ill run up and take train. First one to Siam buys breakfast.

[zzaa09]

7 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

OK. I need to gamble, so lets do a test. The day after New Years, meet me at BangWa BTS at 8:00 am. You jump into a cab, Ill run up and take train. First one to Siam buys breakfast.

Dependent greatly on the discretionary style of breakfast. 

 

 

[NoshowJones]

19 hours ago, Nyezhov said:

Something wrong with profit?

 

Where is the BTS "packed" at 2:45 pm on a Wednesday? Siam?

 

7 minutes apart? Is that bad?

"Something wrong with profit?" No, not if it's fair and the people are getting value for their money.

The big problem is capitalists like Branson. I don't think I need to explain.

Edited December 28, 2018 by possum1931

[Nyezhov]

Just now, zzaa09 said:

Dependent greatly on the discretionary style of breakfast. 

 

 

When I win I want a Cheese Omelet with a rasher of bacon on the side, Rye toast, hold the jelly, Mandarin orange juice and a real latte.

[Nyezhov]

1 minute ago, possum1931 said:

"Something wrong with profit?" No, not if it's fair and the people are getting value from their money.

The big problem is capitalists like Branson. I don't think I need to explain.

Well lets see the NYC subway system isnt run for profit, its 5x the cost and half the service (recognizing of course that it is a lot bigger).

 

Who decides whether profit is fair or not. Who decides whether there is value. I surely get a value for it. I surely dont mind using it. In fact, Im going to jump on it in a few hours to get my Sukhmavit fix. 

 

Anyone want to wallow in filth, alcohol and perversion with me. I need to speak English with another human being above: Where you come from. Where you live. Buy ladydrink

[elgenon]

Thank you for taking the bus. One less body on the BTS.

 

I noticed you didn't mentioned the time it takes to go from point A to point B.

 

Anyway, thanks again. I hope you convinced others of the joy of busing.

[Jip99]

10 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

 

 

Anyone want to wallow in filth, alcohol and perversion with me. I need to speak English with another human being above: Where you come from. Where you live. Buy ladydrink

 

 

Frankly, you should have been throwing these inducement before the POTY voting started.

[Nyezhov]

1 minute ago, Jip99 said:

 

 

Frankly, you should have been throwing these inducement before the POTY voting started.

Im not offering to buy Cowboy, but I can do a fab wallow!

[kannot]

9 hours ago, smutcakes said:

are straight up lying

balls  are  they,  happened  to  me  at Nana bts at 8pm in  the  evening, thought  id  finish  what  i  was  doing  later  to  avoid  a  crush,  still  rammed  full

[josephbloggs]

6 hours ago, kannot said:

balls  are  they,  happened  to  me  at Nana bts at 8pm in  the  evening, thought  id  finish  what  i  was  doing  later  to  avoid  a  crush,  still  rammed  full

And it took you 3-4 trains?

[balo]

If you have all the time in the world and like to sweat, take the bus , especially during the rush hours. Good luck. 

 

[kannot]

6 hours ago, josephbloggs said:

And it took you 3-4 trains?

yes

[bkk6060]

I call OP report bogus...

I lived in BKK and took it everyday.

I think it is fantastic and coveinient.

I never waited more then one train ever! 

The OP must be missing trains resting for 15 minutes after his exhausted walk up those stairs. If you hate it stick with a taxi or bus.

 

 

[Just Weird]

On ‎12‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 7:01 PM, rodknock said:

there is no rush hour, the BTS is packed any time of the day or night. take the last train and it is standing room only.

 

Generalised nonsense.  I use the Sukhumvit line everyday, at different times, and am frequently able to get a seat into town or heading out, particularly on the last train.

 

 

[Just Weird]

On ‎12‎/‎27‎/‎2018 at 10:30 PM, edwardandtubs said:

 

It's a greedy, profit-driven company that wants the trains at full capacity at all times of day. That's why the trains only run once every 7 minutes in the middle of the day and are almost always packed. 

Which private company isn't profit-driven, for god's sake?