Four stations opening soon on Skytrain Blue Line

[snoop1130]

Four stations opening soon on Skytrain Blue Line

By The Nation

 

 

The Skytrain Blue Line goes into unofficial operation on September 29 and will initially be free of charge, taking passengers to and from Petchkasem, Phasi Charoen, Bang Khae and Lak Song.

 

The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand and Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) are waiving the fare to introduce commuters to the extended service between Tao Pun and Tha Phra, though the line won’t officially open until March 31.

 

Passengers travelling to Chinatown are advised to disembark via Wat Mang Korn Station Exit 1 and walk to Yaowarat via Charoen Krung Soi 16.

Using prepaid tickets will add to the convenience.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30376372

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2019-09-18

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[lujanit]

I wonder how Seacon will manage the parking as the centre has direct access to Phasi Charoen.

[Classic Ray]

Why is this being referred to as the Skytrain?

 

For 20 years the BTS Green Line on viaducts has been named the Skytrain, whilst the original underground Blue Line has always been the MRT.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

I can't quite tell what the OP article is talking about, or why they're referring to the Blue Line as a "Skytrain" project.

 

Here's a recent map of the Blue line and its pending extensions:

 

 

The four stations mentioned as being open on Sept. 29 are just one small segment of two different, longer Blue Line extension segments -- east-west Bang Khae to Hua Lamphong and north-south Tao Poon to Tha Phra, shown in the dark blue lines above.... 

 

So what about those much longer extension segments not mentioned and not involving the four named stations at the far west end due to open Sept. 29??  The north-south Tao Poon to Tha Phra segment apparently isn't due to open at all until March?

 

 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Here is a prior TVF article from mid July that says the Hua Lamphong to Bang Kae extension segment began a three month trial run then in mid July, which would seem to conflict with this article saying several of those stations -- Bang Kae, Phasicharoen and Petchkasem -- will open Sept. 29.

 

 

 

[Lakegeneve]

5 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

I can't quite tell what the OP article is talking about, or why they're referring to the Blue Line as a "Skytrain" project.

 

Here's a recent map of the Blue line and its pending extensions:

 

 

It's very simple. This extension was due to open in August but BEM had to delay the full opening as they didn't have enough new rolling stock. Only 6 new trains were operational at that time and they needed at least 12-15.  

 

1) From 29 July the MRTA extension partially opened from Hua Lamphong to Tha Phra for a free, trial period from 10am to 4pm with a shuttle service on a 8 min headway. The full extension to Lak Song will open 29 Sept

 

2) From 13 August, operations were extended from 7am to 9pm reflecting demand and also extended to Bang Wah (2 more stations).

 

3) From 7 September, through services were introduced on a normal timetable. (No more shuttle service and no more 8 min headway).

 

4) From 21 September, operations will be extended to the full extension to Lak Song (all 11 stations) and the operational period will be from 6am to 11pm. Still a free trail period.

 

The extension will officially open on 29 Sept and fare collections will begin that day. Thuis, if you want to peruse the new extension go and have a look now while it is still free.

 

5) The Tao Poon to Bang Wah section is due to open in March 2020 by which most of the extra rolling stock will have been delivered.

 

Lastly, the 8km 4 station ext from Lak Song to Phutthamonton sai 2 is due to be tendered by the end of this year.

 

It is worth remembering that when construction of the Blue Line extension commenced in mid 2011 the full extension was due to open by the end of 2016.

 

All of these updates were available at this thread, 

 

[Nyezhov]

Say goodbye to Bucolic Thonburi, let the Condo Rush begin.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

4 hours ago, Lakegeneve said:

3) From 7 September, through services were introduced on a normal timetable. (No more shuttle service and no more 8 min headway).

 

LG, thanks very much for the very clear and specific explanation. Obviously the various individual news article threads previously posted here weren't nearly as clear, accurate or specific.

 

Just FWIW, what exactly were you referring to above when you talked about a "shuttle service" being used on the Blue Line extension for a period of time?

 

PS - Silly me, expecting that I could rely on the various news reports posted here to actually know and understand what's going on... Since neither the current one in this thread nor the prior one I linked to above contained MOST of the details that you just ticked off. 

[YT3k72Em]

Shuttle service I believe refers to the train not going through from new track to old. Meaning you had to get off and change trains at Hualampong. 

[Lakegeneve]

13 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Just FWIW, what exactly were you referring to above when you talked about a "shuttle service" being used on the Blue Line extension for a period of time?

The shuttle service operated between Hualumphong and Tha Phra (then Bang Wah). This meant that you had to change trains at Hualumphong by crossing the platform, the Tao the Hua to Tha Phra was a separate service ie. no through service.

 

However, during peak when the Blue line runs at a 4 min headway, as the Hua to Tha Phra shuttle was operating at a 8 min headway it meant that you had 2, sometimes 3 loads of pax waiting at Hualumphong. You might remember that when the BTS Silom ext beyond WWY to Bang Wah progressively opened in stages, the BTS also ran a 2 station shuttle service for a short period of time from WWY to Talat Phlu. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

8 minutes ago, Lakegeneve said:

The shuttle service operated between Hualumphong and Tha Phra (then Bang Wah). This meant that you had to change trains at Hualumphong by crossing the platform, the Tao the Hua to Tha Phra was a separate service ie. no through service.

 

When you talked about a "shuttle" service above, I was wondering if you meant BUS shuttle service like they had to do with the Purple line for a period of time because of its delayed interchange with the original Blue line.

 

In the case of the current Blue line extension, now I understand, you were talking about a different kind of shuttle service.