Bts Route Extension At Saphan Taksin

[dantilley]

Anyone know the planned date for the opening of the new BTS stations on the other side of the river? The BTS site directs people to here but it's all in Thai which I can't read. Not sure that site would be up to date anyway, judging by the circa late 90's style design...

[andy1308]

The stations on Thonburi side are complete now and I've heard the opening will be sometime mid next year - although I don't think an official date has been announced yet. I did read something in either The Bangkok Post or The Nation about six or seven months ago saying, at that time, the opening was 12 months away.

I am not sure how things will operate at BTS Saphan Taksin with its single platform. I can see the confusion now with people arriving on the platform and not knowing which way the train will take them.

[Scott]

I am sure as we speak, the monks are choosing an auspicious date for the opening!

[flightcrew1]

Never ending saga. These stations should have been open already. Nobody (BMA/BTS) can agree on what fare to charge or how to share the money since the tracks are now in Thornburi. T.I.T! I have friends who bought condos 2 years ago on that side with expectations that the stations would be open 18 months ago...!

[dantilley]

The stations on Thonburi side are complete now and I've heard the opening will be sometime mid next year - although I don't think an official date has been announced yet. I did read something in either The Bangkok Post or The Nation about six or seven months ago saying, at that time, the opening was 12 months away.

I am not sure how things will operate at BTS Saphan Taksin with its single platform. I can see the confusion now with people arriving on the platform and not knowing which way the train will take them.

Yes when you look from above they look like normal stations. Figured they were still constructing all the inside facilities though.

The single platform thing will be strange, I imagine they'll have to make trains wait if there's already one in there. Should be obvious enough which way the train's going, though, by noticing which direction the train arrives from - although the problem still arises if the train's already there when you get to the platform...!

[lomatopo]

AFAIK nearly all physical work is complete. However a new signaling system (from Bombardier) needs to be installed. Planned trials are for September or October 2008.

[WAERTH]

AFAIK nearly all physical work is complete. However a new signaling system (from Bombardier) needs to be installed. Planned trials are for September or October 2008.

Not just a new signalling system has to be installed. It has to replace the old Siemens signaling system on the existing line. The reason for this is that the Siemens system only works with Siemens rolling stock! While the Bombardier system works with all kinds of rolling stock! They want to be able to buy rolling stock from other companies. That is why they are replacing the signaling system and everything has been held up.

Waerth

[chrislarsson]

Never ending saga. These stations should have been open already. Nobody (BMA/BTS) can agree on what fare to charge or how to share the money since the tracks are now in Thornburi. T.I.T! I have friends who bought condos 2 years ago on that side with expectations that the stations would be open 18 months ago...!

How could anyone expect them to be open after only 6 months of construction?