Safety Issues And Delays On The New Bts Extention

[grantbkk]

It has been more than a month now since the smaller of the two BTS lines has added two stations beyond the former terminal station at Saphan Taksin. Free service now runs from the new station at Wongwian Yai through Kurng Thon Buri station to Saphan Taksin, evidently adding thousands of users to the BTS system. I ride this like between Saphan Taksin and Siam everyday and feel qualified to comment on what has turned out to be a disaster in the making.

The extension of the smaller BTS line was supposed to open years ago however the changes of government and mismanagement by the lines owners delayed the project completion. Some reports referred to disappearing money and safety equipment missing or not ordered for the delays. Now that it is open I get the sense that the safety equipment is still either being tested or not yet in place. What used to be a quick uncrowned trip to the river from National Stadium has become an arduous trek and can be compared to a theme park ride with danger thrown in for the riders to fear or to enjoy.

Before the extension opened I discussed the layout with a manager responsible for the trains and subways in Washington D.C., USA. My friend simply didn’t believe me when I said this new extension was brought together at Saphan Taksin Station by two track merging into one track at the station before returning to two tracks after leaving the station. I sent him Google Earth evidence of the single track and he still can’t believe this could have been built in this century. Safety imperatives alone would prevent this system to be built in any civilized country. The dangers posed by trains traveling in opposite directions on the same track can be recognized by school children. Some of the inherent problems can be mitigated with computers and human controlled backup systems but the dangers can never be eliminated.

The BTS operators are playing fast and loose with the lives of Thais and tourists alike. Trains on this small line, we’ll call it the “Bastard Line”, are packed tighter than even Japan’s trains at rush hour. No matter that the H1N1 flu strain is raging in Bangkok. The BTS management takes no notice and packs the people in so tightly than no one will fall down in a head-on collision with another train. The trip now takes me at least an extra four minutes between the stations of Siam and Saphan Taksin. During the trip I observe the tightly packed crowd. Most of the Thais seem to be meditating and trying to forget they are being touched everywhere on their body by strangers. By and large most seem resigned to their fate but the stress on their faces is palpable. The tourists laugh and joke for a few minutes thinking they are on an overcrowded theme park ride. They don’t know about dangers of the single track configuration or think about succumbing to H1N1. After a station or two the tourist’s expression changes to something akin to the Thais all around them. The jerky stopping and starting anywhere on the line, standing in the overcrowded train car for minutes at stations with the doors sometimes open or sometimes closed, the warnings that the system is experiencing problems, the people coughing and sneezing in close proximity and stopping within walking distance of your destination adds to the stress of each and every one of the rider/customers of the BTS.

The BTS has promised more trains for the “Bastard Line” in the near future to reduce the travel time, health concerns and stress on the riders. I think until such time as the proper safety equipment and correct number of train cars are in place the two new stations should be shut down. Human safety should be priority number one but sadly the BTS is ignoring the safety issuers and comfort of their customer base to make a few extra Baht.

[sanook2me]

Oh well never mind.

Do the guards still whistle when approaching the yellow line on the station ramp?

If yes, see they are concerned about safety!

Sounds like heaven if its full of uni girls..buffeting against you.....

what you squawking about?

Seriously if it is this bad and causing you stress and depression i think you should move or put a claim in breaching your human rights to the Thai administration/government..

Good luck

[Ijustwannateach]

I don't regard the threat of flu as truly important- as if you were that worried you shouldn't be on public transport anyhoo, it gets crowded all the way up and down the line-

BUT

your observations about the safety risks and the potential for disaster (passengers falling or accidentally being pushed off the crowded platform during rush hour) are spot on- have witnessed it myself.

[Crossy]

The dangers of a collision are extremely small to zero. The trains are protected by automatic systems, are not traveling very fast and have drivers with eyes.

I agree with the falling hazard, the station staff don't turn off the escalators when the platform is full and just keep forcing more passengers onto an already bursting platform. The installation of platform edge doors would be a valuable safety feature. These are half height barriers (not the full screen doors like are on the metro) and are readily retro-fitted.

The dumb layout at Saphan Taksin station is historical. There was never intended to be a station there, it was simply nailed on to the end of the line on the turn-round headshunt. The intention was to remove the platform and station when the line was extended. Unfortunately the station became very busy as it connects with the boats and would now be impossible to remove. There is no room for side platforms as the road is in the way so we're stuck with the crazy bottleneck

[oldsparrow]

Even when Taksin bridge was just completed there was saying of the sky train track through it to Thonburi. It seems they didn't really plan to have the station right on the bridge.

[thaihome]

Once they start charging to cross the river, in August I think, traffic will drop of a lot. Nothing better then a free ride across.

TH

[grantbkk]

I don't regard the threat of flu as truly important- as if you were that worried you shouldn't be on public transport anyhoo, it gets crowded all the way up and down the line-

BUT

your observations about the safety risks and the potential for disaster (passengers falling or accidentally being pushed off the crowded platform during rush hour) are spot on- have witnessed it myself.

Safety issues aside I can do the time it takes to get to my destination. I'm 6'4" and get to closely observe everyone in my line of vision. They are all stressed except for the ones that are asleep. Being tightly packed in the middle of the school girls isn't so bad. Thais are too polite to complain for the most part. The additional four to five minutes added to a trip that once was 10 minutes seems excessive.

[petedk]

The dangers of a collision are extremely small to zero. The trains are protected by automatic systems, are not traveling very fast and have drivers with eyes.

I agree with the falling hazard, the station staff don't turn off the escalators when the platform is full and just keep forcing more passengers onto an already bursting platform. The installation of platform edge doors would be a valuable safety feature. These are half height barriers (not the full screen doors like are on the metro) and are readily retro-fitted.

The dumb layout at Saphan Taksin station is historical. There was never intended to be a station there, it was simply nailed on to the end of the line on the turn-round headshunt. The intention was to remove the platform and station when the line was extended. Unfortunately the station became very busy as it connects with the boats and would now be impossible to remove. There is no room for side platforms as the road is in the way so we're stuck with the crazy bottleneck

Didn't they same the same about the subway??? Look what happened a couple of years ago. Accidents can always happen and TIT.