Subway services resume after glitch

BANGKOK: -- Underground train services have resumed at Hua Lamphong and Samyan stations after being shut down on Friday night due to mechanical malfunctions, MRTA officials said yesterday.

“Train services resumed Saturday morning after the electrical control board that monitors the incoming and outgoing train traffic in the two stations had been fixed,” said Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand governor Prapat Chongsanguan.

About 50 passengers were stranded at the two stations when the malfunction happened at 8.30pm.

They were advised to board trains at either the Silom or the Klong Toei stations instead.

Many complained that station officials were slow to announce the malfunction, keeping them waiting at the platform for almost an hour.

MRTA officials said Siemens, the train supplier, was in charge of maintenance for the train and its operating system.

They said it was unusual for the control board to malfunction, although it had happened before in other countries.

“Because the control board failed to detect the train’s arrival, it refused to activate the platform doors to open and allow passengers to board the train,” a MRTA official said.

The official added that the malfunction did not threaten the safety of passengers although it had caused them some inconvenience.

A train passenger, Chaiwut Kalaket, said he was not discouraged by the incident.

“The subway is a new thing. Some glitches at the start of service are understandable. But I hope the MRTA has full safety measures in place. I don’t want to be trapped inside a malfunctioning train in between stations deep underground,” he said.

--The Nation 2004-07-18

Looks like they should have done more intensive testing before opening to passengers?