Airport Rail Link (again Sorry)

[lomatopo]

At Suvarnabhumi how does one know if the next departing Express Line train is going to MAS (Makkasan) or PTH (Phaya Thai)? Do the overhead screens have the destination? Are there announcements? LED signage (in English?) on the cars?

According to the schedules, if you miss an Express Line train SVB-MAS then you have a 40 minute wait. So better to take the City Line, and get off at MAS if that was your intended destination.

It sounds like it might be easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai vs. Makkasan?

[tartempion]

It's ridiculous.

They should drop the express line all together and run the service like a normal subway line, say 10 trains/hour, every 6 minutes.

Next month I travel to BKK for 2 nights, have hotel booked near Huay Khwang MRT station, travel with GF.

Option 1: Taxi to/from SVB, 600THB inclusive toll will do I guess, near zero wait time.

Option 2: Express to MAS: 300THB for 2 return tickets + 2 taxis at 75, total 450, max 40 minutes wait at SVB/MAS and problems finding taxi at MSA.

Option 3: Express to MAS: 300THB for 2 return tickets and MRT to Huay Khwang: long walk in heath from MAS to MRT Petchaburi on top of max 40 min train wait, No thank You

Option 4: express to PTH and taxi to Huay Khwang, not a good idea to backtrack by taxi, taxi stuck in traffic?

Option 5: City line to MAS and taxi to HK, might be doable at 40THB*4 =160 plus 150 taxi, total 310. Still potential problem to get taxi at MAS and max 20 min wait for train.

Conclusion: guess I will stick to taxi door to door

Edited June 13, 2011 by tartempion

[Lakegeneve]

The two Expresses are 30 min headway from/to Phayathai all day and a 40 min headway from/to Makkasan. Phayathai dep. times are easy to remember being on the hour and half hour but Makkasan you'll need to check to ensure you get there on time (or just take the next Cityline).

How are Express trains handled at Phaya Thai? On the South platform?

Just trying to figure out how they direct City Line pax and Express Line pax from the concourse.

For example from Phaya Thai you have an Express train departing 06:00 and a City train departing at 06:01, so I assume they are using both platforms, and passengers somehow 'directed' to the appropriate platform.

Yes pretty much as you have surmised. Cityline trains use platform 1 and Express platform 2. SRT is using papertickets for the Express and keeping Express pax seperated in a waiting area until the train arrives then escorted up to the platform. No doubt they will change and fine tune these arrangements in the coming weeks.

[Lakegeneve]

At Suvarnabhumi how does one know if the next departing Express Line train is going to MAS (Makkasan) or PTH (Phaya Thai)? Do the overhead screens have the destination? Are there announcements? LED signage (in English?) on the cars?

According to the schedules, if you miss an Express Line train SVB-MAS then you have a 40 minute wait. So better to take the City Line, and get off at MAS if that was your intended destination.

It sounds like it might be easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai vs. Makkasan?

The display screen at the entrance to the Express and on the platforms state the destination. The missing screen is on up on arrivals levels in the terminal and at the entrance of the station which should list all trains departing in the coming hour (Express and Cityline) so pax know how much time they have to purchase a ticket and get to the platform.

I think it is easy to get a taxi at Makkasan which is my usual station but I always do the 2 min walk to Ratchada rd rather than take one waiting at arrival level (which is signposted contrary to an above post). Even if I taxi to Makkasan (sometimes I take the MRT) I will be dropped off at Ratchada and walk straight the the lifts rather than enter the CAT road and have the taxi spend a few mins using the entry road which goes around the whole station. Not a good design on that front.

[Lakegeneve]

It's ridiculous.

They should drop the express line all together and run the service like a normal subway line, say 10 trains/hour, every 6 minutes.

Next month I travel to BKK for 2 nights, have hotel booked near Huay Khwang MRT station, travel with GF.

Option 1: Taxi to/from SVB, 600THB inclusive toll will do I guess, near zero wait time.

Option 2: Express to MAS: 300THB for 2 return tickets + 2 taxis at 75, total 450, max 40 minutes wait at SVB/MAS and problems finding taxi at MSA.

Option 3: Express to MAS: 300THB for 2 return tickets and MRT to Huay Khwang: long walk in heath from MAS to MRT Petchaburi on top of max 40 min train wait, No thank You

Option 4: express to PTH and taxi to Huay Khwang, not a good idea to backtrack by taxi, taxi stuck in traffic?

Option 5: City line to MAS and taxi to HK, might be doable at 40THB*4 =160 plus 150 taxi, total 310. Still potential problem to get taxi at MAS and max 20 min wait for train.

Conclusion: guess I will stick to taxi door to door

Your analysis and options will always be much more complicated than this as you have neglected both traffic and weather conditions as a start and you are assuming the max waiting times and max fares. The Airport line caters for relatively few airport pax but in future years it will be more suitable once there are other lines and infrastructure in place. In needs to be seen in that light.

For example, during peak period your journey from the expressway exit to ratchada rd and up to Huay Kwang could easily take you 30 mins just for that 2.5kms. There has been a couple of heavy storms in the last 2 weeks which flooded Ratchada rd near Robinson which completely jammed the whole road.

I have been on the Airport train when the whole Expressway to the airport was shutdown due to a VIP trip.

In peak periods and druing a storm I personally would take Airport line and the MRT as it would save a lot of time, even if it was a party of 2-3 with a lot of luggage.

Each trip will have its own variations, conditions and optimum travel mode (or combination thereof) and needs of the traveller.

I do agree that a more frequent Cityline, at least every 10 mins as you suggest, is needed. The problem is that the SRT doe snot have the rolling stock. Hence the SRT is seking to order more sets.

Edited June 13, 2011 by Lakegeneve

[NanLaew]

At Suvarnabhumi how does one know if the next departing Express Line train is going to MAS (Makkasan) or PTH (Phaya Thai)? Do the overhead screens have the destination? Are there announcements? LED signage (in English?) on the cars?

According to the schedules, if you miss an Express Line train SVB-MAS then you have a 40 minute wait. So better to take the City Line, and get off at MAS if that was your intended destination.

It sounds like it might be easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai vs. Makkasan?

There's no indications of times. When I buy the ticket, I ask. Sometimes they understand and tell you, sometimes they mumble and look lost.

Yes, it can be a 40-minute wait for the next express to MAS and the taxis are a lottery.

But an extra 5 minutes to PTH and then an extra 20 minutes in a taxi back to Ratchadapisek....

Roundabouts and swings mate!

[NanLaew]

At Suvarnabhumi how does one know if the next departing Express Line train is going to MAS (Makkasan) or PTH (Phaya Thai)? Do the overhead screens have the destination? Are there announcements? LED signage (in English?) on the cars?

According to the schedules, if you miss an Express Line train SVB-MAS then you have a 40 minute wait. So better to take the City Line, and get off at MAS if that was your intended destination.

It sounds like it might be easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai vs. Makkasan?

The display screen at the entrance to the Express and on the platforms state the destination. The missing screen is on up on arrivals levels in the terminal and at the entrance of the station which should list all trains departing in the coming hour (Express and Cityline) so pax know how much time they have to purchase a ticket and get to the platform.

I think it is easy to get a taxi at Makkasan which is my usual station but I always do the 2 min walk to Ratchada rd rather than take one waiting at arrival level (which is signposted contrary to an above post). Even if I taxi to Makkasan (sometimes I take the MRT) I will be dropped off at Ratchada and walk straight the the lifts rather than enter the CAT road and have the taxi spend a few mins using the entry road which goes around the whole station. Not a good design on that front.

I must keep my eyes peeled for that 'display screen at the entrance' as I have missed it. The screens down on the platforms show the time but last night it had "00" displayed for all 40 minutes till the train showed up. I am talking about the airport end. Haven't taken it from Makkasan to the airport yet.

The Makkasan taxi is signposted, my mistake. But it's BADLY signposted. It must be as there's loads of Thai's wandering around aimlessly and eventually some station worker or security chap pops up to POINT them in the right direction. But I agree 100% that taxi access to/from the pick-up and drop-off points may be another reason they don't even try. Can you imagine taking 2 minutes to get there to find no customers and then 2 minutes back out again? Bad design for sure. Maybe they should invest in one of those amber rotating lights like the hotels and apartment blocks use?

I could have walked to Ratchada last night but I had a heavy roller and a heavy backpack. Plus I had grabbed a couple of cold beers at the Family Mart at the airport before going down to the train. The security/taxi chap got me a plastic chair while I waited for the taxi so with the cold beer and the shared taxi with Miss Chomphu.... it wasn't too bad really.

Edited June 13, 2011 by NanLaew

[lomatopo]

At Suvarnabhumi how does one know if the next departing Express Line train is going to MAS (Makkasan) or PTH (Phaya Thai)? Do the overhead screens have the destination? Are there announcements? LED signage (in English?) on the cars?

According to the schedules, if you miss an Express Line train SVB-MAS then you have a 40 minute wait. So better to take the City Line, and get off at MAS if that was your intended destination.

It sounds like it might be easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai vs. Makkasan?

There's no indications of times. When I buy the ticket, I ask. Sometimes they understand and tell you, sometimes they mumble and look lost.

Yes, it can be a 40-minute wait for the next express to MAS and the taxis are a lottery.

But an extra 5 minutes to PTH and then an extra 20 minutes in a taxi back to Ratchadapisek....

Roundabouts and swings mate!

I think you missed my point. If you missed the Express Line to MAS then rather than waiting another 40 minutes you could take the City Line, if that were your destination and GET OFF AT MAKKASAN, rather than wait for the next Express Line train to MAS. I never suggested taking the next Express Line to PTH.

My suggestion about it perhaps being easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai was more of a general suggestion rather than a specific recommendation for you who lives on Ratchada.

I guess two observations:

1. the new scheduling and alternating Express Lines to both Phaya Thai and Makkasan further complicate the choices for even seasoned travelers; I worry that first-timers might get confused.

2. the lack of taxis at Makkasan is troublesome, again for first-timers.

[NanLaew]

I think you missed my point. If you missed the Express Line to MAS then rather than waiting another 40 minutes you could take the City Line, if that were your destination and GET OFF AT MAKKASAN, rather than wait for the next Express Line train to MAS. I never suggested taking the next Express Line to PTH.

My suggestion about it perhaps being easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai was more of a general suggestion rather than a specific recommendation for you who lives on Ratchada.

I guess two observations:

1. the new scheduling and alternating Express Lines to both Phaya Thai and Makkasan further complicate the choices for even seasoned travelers; I worry that first-timers might get confused.

2. the lack of taxis at Makkasan is troublesome, again for first-timers.

Point taken. I may try that but first I will ask if changing from MAS Express to PTH City is an easy option after the ticket has been bought since the fares and tickets are different. It would need a trip back up the travelator anyway. If they did have ALL the train scheds on a standard screen before you go down the slope to get the ticket, life would be easier. Agreed that it's too much of a lottery to expect first-timers to use it or get returning customers for that matter!

[rickthailand]

please remove mods i meant to post a new topic

thanks

rick

Edited June 21, 2011 by rickthailand

[Razzler1973]

So, I will be taking my first trip (most likely) on the Airport Link thing since it opened pretty soon and to sum it up there is an express line and a city line.

It appears as though the Express Line is quicker (duh!) and goes to Makksan or Phaya Thai where you can taxi it or link to MRT or BTS.

The City Line goes to those places but with a few stops in between. The time table is a bit freaky.

How long does it take to get to those two places on the City Line then as at the moment the Express Line is not really exciting me.

How long do you think it'll take from airport to hualamphong for instance?

[lomatopo]

How long do you think it'll take from airport to hualamphong for instance?

City Line or Express Line to Makassan, walk to Petchaburi MRT (subway) station, MRT to Hualumphong. Depending on familiarity and wait-times, 45 - 90 minutes would be my range. Lots of walking, escalators, waiting for trains, buying two tickets, security at MRT entrance (I saw several tourists yesterday at the MRT/Sukhumvit and the guards had them open all their luggage.)

I assume you know that these lines run ~ 06:00 - 00:00, so not 24 hours in case you have a late-arriving flight.

[Razzler1973]

Yeah, was aware of the times. I may give it a whirl, see how it goes

[NanLaew]

Better timing this Sunday... domestic flight touched down at 20:50 and parked up on E stand so the bus was a straight shot to Arrivals. Bag was 2nd one off the carousel and straight down to the train station by 21:10. This time they had the time for the next Makkasan express train clearly on the big clock monitors... arriving in 4 minutes so grabbed a ticket and down the travelator as it pulled in. Train pulled out in time and into Makkasan at 09:32. There was about 8 taxis waiting so grabbed the first one and in the flat and sucking down Jack and water by 21:50. That was 90 baht for the train and 45 baht for the taxi.

[Lakegeneve]

SRT stated that the ave. no of pax for the Express in July was 2, 300 per day. As expected with the dual change in of more realistic fares and the extension of the service to Phayathai ave daily pax increased significantly from the previous 700.

A good base to buil upon. The SRT will have to seriously entertain extending the reduced fares beyond 31 Dec 11.

[infernalman7]

Remember, the current Express fares are temporary promotional fares. They plan to bring it back up as their researches have shown that it's not the price that is a problem, it's the connectivity and frequency of the trains.

They are doing really well now though. They have just reached 3,000 Express passengers per day.

[RaoulDuke]

I just had a couple questions about station access:

1. Does Ratchaprarop have an UP escalator or elevator to the platform?

2. Did they ever add an escalator from the Phaya Thai station to the BTS station?

3. Is there a down escalator to the street from the City Line platform at Makkasan?

It seems that getting a taxi is hard from Makkasan, but is there another station that would be better if one is carrying heavy luggage?

I really wish someone would update the wikipedia page on the airport rail link/SARL stations by detailing which stations have what access regarding elevators/escalators, especially since they are supposedly adding escalators at some point in time. If there is another website which has this info, I would appreciate the link. Finding it by searching in here is very tedious and unreliable.

[Comicus]

They are doing really well now though. They have just reached 3,000 Express passengers per day.

From this 3,000 pax per day, how many are Thais and how many are tourists? Anyone knows?

[infernalman7]

I just had a couple questions about station access:

1. Does Ratchaprarop have an UP escalator or elevator to the platform?

2. Did they ever add an escalator from the Phaya Thai station to the BTS station?

3. Is there a down escalator to the street from the City Line platform at Makkasan?

It seems that getting a taxi is hard from Makkasan, but is there another station that would be better if one is carrying heavy luggage?

I really wish someone would update the wikipedia page on the airport rail link/SARL stations by detailing which stations have what access regarding elevators/escalators, especially since they are supposedly adding escalators at some point in time. If there is another website which has this info, I would appreciate the link. Finding it by searching in here is very tedious and unreliable.

1. All stations have up escalators to platforms

2. The two stations are connected. However, going down from the platform to the floor that is connected to BTS, there's no escalators. Lifts only or heavy lifting otherwise.

3. There are escalators up and down to any level at Makkasan.

Getting a taxi isn't hard anymore. There are always 4-5 waiting, given you know where to go.. the staff should be there to point it out to you.

[infernalman7]

They are doing really well now though. They have just reached 3,000 Express passengers per day.

From this 3,000 pax per day, how many are Thais and how many are tourists? Anyone knows?

I can't tell for sure. Many passengers are Asian. But why does this matter anyway?

[Comicus]

They are doing really well now though. They have just reached 3,000 Express passengers per day.

From this 3,000 pax per day, how many are Thais and how many are tourists? Anyone knows?

I can't tell for sure. Many passengers are Asian. But why does this matter anyway?

Thais may use it to travel locally, not from/to an airport. Therefore, this 3,000 pax per day is just another fault claim

[Lakegeneve]

They are doing really well now though. They have just reached 3,000 Express passengers per day.

From this 3,000 pax per day, how many are Thais and how many are tourists? Anyone knows?

I can't tell for sure. Many passengers are Asian. But why does this matter anyway?

Thais may use it to travel locally, not from/to an airport. Therefore, this 3,000 pax per day is just another fault claim

You seem to misunderstand. The referred to figure of 3000 (note I am note sure that is yet 3K a day as it was 2.3k p/d in June but I'll take the previous posters word) pax a day is only for the Express Service. Thus, all pax ARE travelling to/from the airport. You claim is actually at fault.

The Cityline , which you seems to be thinking of, was averaging 37-38,000 a day in June.

SRT has stated that the total pax numbers for July were 1.05m up from the June figure of 900K. No break down of Cityline and Express was given. http://www.thaipost.net/news/260811/43965

Overall revenue was also up by 25% to 37m baht a day still less than the estimated 70-77m baht a day in running costs and debt servicing.

[Lakegeneve]

As an added update, the SRT has just rebid the pedestrian link to be built from Makkasan CAT to Petchaburi MRT station for 87m. The previous contractor and design was withdrawn due to some problems with the design. Contract to be signed by Dec with the link completed by June 2012.

Also, the extra escalators for Phayathai, Ratchaprarop and Ram stations should be installed sometime by Dec to March 2012.

Before someone posts making the valid point about the escalator shortage and link issue, I will again remind all that when the BTS opened in Dec 99 only about half the escalators that currently exist were installed. The others were gradually installed in the following few years. Also, the links between the MRT and BTS at Silom and Asoke did not repectively open until 1 and 2 years after the MRT opened.

If the SRT manages to install the extra escalators and the link to the MRT they will be following a similar timeframe to what has previously taken place. Not defending that, just reminding people.

[infernalman7]

Lakegeneve, since the Friday before Mothers Day, the number of Express pax has been well over 2,800 with some days reaching over 3,000.

From what I understand from my source within the ARL team, they say the pedestrian link to be built from MCAT to the MRT station could not be built because BMA didn't allow it to be built in the first place due to future landscape changes to be implemented by the BMA. But it seems the SRT is going ahead with or without the support from the BMA and so is the Ministry of Transport. The original underground pedestrian link that was in the first plan could not be built because of the blockade underground. (Massive drainage system inbetween the two stations)

It should be noted also that most BTS stations do not have downward escalators. People don't seem to find that troubling because most users don't carry heavy luggages with them. The Airport Link system was designed with the same assumption, thinking that most passengers with heavy luggages would use the Express service to MCAT only. I think people just complain about Airport Link just to feel like they know things better.

Lakegeneve, you seem to be one of a very few people here who know what you're talking about

Edited August 30, 2011 by infernalman7

[barryFunk]

Thanks both infernalman7 and Lakegeneve for your useful and interesting posts. Far too often people on these forums are negative for the sake of being negative rather than using them to discuss reality and be constructive in any criticism.

A couple of thoughts:

- Installing the connection from the MCAT to the MRT should only cost about as much as one full day of operating costs

- How much of a boost do you think the connection will give to the ARL's numbers and what difference would it have made if it had been completed by the time of the launch of the check in services at Makkasan?

With a cost recovery of only about 50%, do they ever have a hope of breaking evening on operating/debt servicing costs? I would say it's unlikely since the CityLine trains are already packed and the logical way to increase revenue would be through the addition of new trains which would increase operating costs. Increasing the fares substantially would be unlikely to increase revenues due to the sensitivity to price of Bangkok commuters. The other option would be to convert Express Line trains to CityLine and double the service frequency but this would be to get rid of a growing revenue stream.

Redesigning the track configuration to allow the Express line trains to stop at both Makkasan and Phaya Thai would go a long way to making that service more attractive though I can't see the check in services continuing for much longer. This would help increase revenue. While my wife and I found them very convenient when we flew to Australia a few months ago, the split of the Express Line destinations can't be helping any. Does anyone know the impact it has had on daily check ins? (Not like they have far to drop from the 20 or so a day a few months ago!).

A very simple additional change would be to install a departures screen at the entrance of the train terminal at Suvarnibhumi that shows the trains departing over the next hour. Last time I took the ARL, I had to ask three people to find out when/to where the next train would depart.

Though is this really a problem? I'm sure the cost recovery on most SRT routes must be low so perhaps a 50% recovery rate isn't that bad?

[p_brownstone]

I would imagine that a large number of passengers on both the Express and City Lines would be people working at the Airport, not that that would make a difference in Revenue - unless these people or their Employers have a Discount deal - or even a Free Pass, which I do not think would be unusual.

Patrick

[infernalman7]

I would imagine that a large number of passengers on both the Express and City Lines would be people working at the Airport, not that that would make a difference in Revenue - unless these people or their Employers have a Discount deal - or even a Free Pass, which I do not think would be unusual.

Patrick

According to the survey, yes, a lot of passengers on the Cityline trains are actually people who commute on a regular basis. This is why they are having a hard time getting higher bids for the advertisement concession.

There are no free-pass for anyone so far but ARL staff. They are going to have a deal with AirAsia and other airlines soon though based from what I have heard from the last AOC (Airport Operations Committee) meeting.

Again, the system isn't built with "breakeven" in mind. It's a service for those who have to use the airport. It's a feature that any quality city/airport must have. One shouldn't expect the system to run itself without any kind of subsidy. In some other cities (KL for example) their version of Airport Express is paid partly from the airport tax. In Thailand, I think this may happen in the near future, and the AOT wouldn't like that at all.

[infernalman7]

Thanks both infernalman7 and Lakegeneve for your useful and interesting posts. Far too often people on these forums are negative for the sake of being negative rather than using them to discuss reality and be constructive in any criticism.

A couple of thoughts:

- Installing the connection from the MCAT to the MRT should only cost about as much as one full day of operating costs

- How much of a boost do you think the connection will give to the ARL's numbers and what difference would it have made if it had been completed by the time of the launch of the check in services at Makkasan?

With a cost recovery of only about 50%, do they ever have a hope of breaking evening on operating/debt servicing costs? I would say it's unlikely since the CityLine trains are already packed and the logical way to increase revenue would be through the addition of new trains which would increase operating costs. Increasing the fares substantially would be unlikely to increase revenues due to the sensitivity to price of Bangkok commuters. The other option would be to convert Express Line trains to CityLine and double the service frequency but this would be to get rid of a growing revenue stream.

Redesigning the track configuration to allow the Express line trains to stop at both Makkasan and Phaya Thai would go a long way to making that service more attractive though I can't see the check in services continuing for much longer. This would help increase revenue. While my wife and I found them very convenient when we flew to Australia a few months ago, the split of the Express Line destinations can't be helping any. Does anyone know the impact it has had on daily check ins? (Not like they have far to drop from the 20 or so a day a few months ago!).

A very simple additional change would be to install a departures screen at the entrance of the train terminal at Suvarnibhumi that shows the trains departing over the next hour. Last time I took the ARL, I had to ask three people to find out when/to where the next train would depart.

Though is this really a problem? I'm sure the cost recovery on most SRT routes must be low so perhaps a 50% recovery rate isn't that bad?

From my understanding, yes they are adding more Cityline trains. This time though the frequency will be maxed out with minimal headway possible (wait time is still going to be 10-12 minutes).

I believe that in the near future they'll have to make changes to the signalling system and the track to allow all express stops in one go but that may happen after the extension to Don Muang is being built. It might be something like Don Muang <-> Bang Sue <-> Phaya Thai <-> Makkasan <-> Suvarnabhumi <-> Pattaya.

Check-ins are still a pain in the butt. It's self-defeating really to only have Thai Airways available there. But this is going to change very soon as they are giving all airlines free access to counters, office spaces and parking. Changes will happen this year!

See my previous comment about profit-making. It's not going to happen.

[ES1]

Just browsing this thread, and I am sure it will have been covered before, but.......

I enjoy a 2 or 3 break in Bangkok but I am no fan of driving in the city.

Coming down from Buriram it is a good run to the airport. Has anybody considered/tried parking at the airport and taking link to, say, Makkasan for a couple of nights around Sukhumvit.

Yup, I know several guys in Pattaya who do that all the time. Driving into the airport from Pattaya then relaxing on the express train into Bkk is much less stressful than driving into Bkk. Often quicker too depending on where you are going.

[ES1]

At Suvarnabhumi how does one know if the next departing Express Line train is going to MAS (Makkasan) or PTH (Phaya Thai)? Do the overhead screens have the destination? Are there announcements? LED signage (in English?) on the cars?

According to the schedules, if you miss an Express Line train SVB-MAS then you have a 40 minute wait. So better to take the City Line, and get off at MAS if that was your intended destination.

It sounds like it might be easier to get a taxi at Phaya Thai vs. Makkasan?

The display screen at the entrance to the Express and on the platforms state the destination. The missing screen is on up on arrivals levels in the terminal and at the entrance of the station which should list all trains departing in the coming hour (Express and Cityline) so pax know how much time they have to purchase a ticket and get to the platform.

I think it is easy to get a taxi at Makkasan which is my usual station but I always do the 2 min walk to Ratchada rd rather than take one waiting at arrival level (which is signposted contrary to an above post). Even if I taxi to Makkasan (sometimes I take the MRT) I will be dropped off at Ratchada and walk straight the the lifts rather than enter the CAT road and have the taxi spend a few mins using the entry road which goes around the whole station. Not a good design on that front.

When I was at Makkasan a few months ago if you go out the front entrance there was a guy with a radio calling in Taxis for waiting people. Is that guy gone now?