Details of light rail tram system for Phuket

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Details of light rail tram system for Phuket
Wiparatana Nathalang


Artist's impression of the LRT going through the intersection with Phang Nga Rd in Phuiket Town. Graphic Apichart Jansangkul/Enrich Consultant

PHUKET: -- Work on Phuket’s long-awaited light rail tram project may start within three years, after the official route and type of transport system were officially confirmed at a public hearing yesterday (June 3).

The route for the B30-billion project will see the proposed tram system run from Tha Noon, on the southern tip of Phang Nga, across the Sarasin Bridge, to Phuket Town and then on to Chalong Circle.

The track will follow Thepkrassatri Road almost the whole way to Phuket Town, with a detour in the north to take in Phuket International Airport.

From Phuket Town the track will head south down Chao Fa East Rd, ending at Chalong Circle.

The total length of the route is 60km, with 20 stations along the way.

At an earlier public hearing held in December last year opinion was in favour of a light rail tram (LRT) system – rather than buses or a monorail – because of the lesser impact the environment and the lower construction cost.

Yesterday’s meeting was more of a briefing on details of the LRT than an opportunity for discussion. Consultants on the project explained that the vehicles will be 30 metres long, each with a capacity of 400 passengers.

The trams will be powered by electricity from overhead cables and from onboard batteries. In Phuket Town, the trams will travel at between 20 and 40kmh, but will be capable of speeds up to 100kmh. The number of trams has yet to be decided.

The tram will run on rails set in a concrete pathway at ground level. Most will be single-track, but parts will be double track to allow trams going in different directions to pass one another.

For much of the route the trams will run along the central reservation but in Phuket Town, tracks will be laid through the existing streets, and a one-way system will be devised to reduce conflict with the traffic.

There are also tentative plans to build an underpass under the Heroines Monument roundabout for cars, with the tram track going round both sides of the monument at ground level.

The committee estimates that travelling from Tha Noon to Chalong will take around 1½ hours, and from the airport to Phuket Old Town around 45 minutes.

Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, who chaired the meeting, said even though the roads are narrow in Phuket Town, “We are going forward with this project. We received the budget to fund a study to decide the chosen route,” Gov Maitri said.

Studies are due to be completed by November this year.

Logistics specialist Dr Keerati Kitmanawat said the LRT route has been designed to take in important places such as main government offices, schools, parks and markets.

The system will, he said, reduce travel time for many people. It will also help reduce the number of cars on the road, save fuel and reduce pollution.

He said car parks would need to be built near the stations, so people could drive to the stations, park their car, and jump aboard the LRT.

Members of the public attending the meeting were generally in favour of the more detailed plan, though one worried about the potential for accidents due to the LRT being at the same level as the fast traffic on Thepkrasattri RD, while another felt the system should be extended to Rawai and Prompthep Cape.

Phuket City Mayor Somjai Suwansupapana said those behind the tram project are thinking about the culture and tradition in the Old Town, rather than focusing only on the seaside.

She added, “Most of the students at schools in town live outside of the town area. We need to study the impact on traffic, and we also need to study the pattern of floods in Phuket Town over the last 10 years. If possible, some parts of the LRT should be underground.”

Gov Maitri said there was “no perfect solution” for the transport system, and they would select the option most suitable for Phuket. “We need to think ahead for the next 10 years.”

A third public meeting will be held in October.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/details-of-light-rail-tram-system-for-phuket-46652.php


-- Phuket News 2014-06-04

[332]

How will it ride through all the sewerage and taxi blockades?

[JetsetBkk]

the official route and type of transport system were officially confirmed at a public hearing yesterday (June 3).

"We received the budget to fund a study to decide the chosen route," Gov Maitri said. Studies are due to be completed by November this year.

Why do you need to fund "a study to decide the chosen route" since the "official route" was "officially confirmed" at the meeting.

Excellent reporting. Clear as mud.

And who gets to spend the budget for the study?

[Crossy]

Trams with stations every 3 clicks?? Every 500m nearer the mark.

Trams capable of 100kph??

What planet are they on?

[KarenBravo]

Motorbike accidents will be up three-fold.

[doctorproc156]

First monorail, then MRT and now a tram? Can't they make their minds up and just build the thing already?

[LivinginKata]

All pie in the sky. Big fees for studies to line pockets of those in charge. All BS.

[NamKangMan]

All pie in the sky. Big fees for studies to line pockets of those in charge. All BS.

You call it "pie in the sky" - I call it propaganda, and it's designed to create the appearance Phuket is progressing, when in fact, it is staying still, and has been for years, and in this day and age, that means you are actually slipping backwards.

[jocko]

I like the Artists impression.

Looking forward to seeing that scene.

[JetsetBkk]

I like the Artists impression.

Looking forward to seeing that scene.

Fair do's! He's added three food carts or trinket sellers on the right.

He's missed the plastic rubbish, soi dogs, empty M150 bottles and parked bikes though.

[cabanlit]

Chalong's going to be busy! Tram terminus, station, associated car park, oh, and the under / over pass, too.

Not in my kids lifetime, i feel.

[steelepulse]

Where do we submit our tender for the "study". There's good money in studies in Phuket and seeing as how it's not a protected job, why not hand a select group of foreign TV study experts to declare one year later that this isn't feasible, as we drive up in our shiny new European cars to give the report.

[Crossy]

Where do we submit our tender for the "study". There's good money in studies in Phuket and seeing as how it's not a protected job, why not hand a select group of foreign TV study experts to declare one year later that this isn't feasible, as we drive up in our shiny new European cars to give the report.

Count me in, it will need a fully integrated revenue collection system (what I do), we can include tuk-tuk and jet-ski operations too, one smart card for all scams

[jocko]

Where do we submit our tender for the "study". There's good money in studies in Phuket and seeing as how it's not a protected job, why not hand a select group of foreign TV study experts to declare one year later that this isn't feasible, as we drive up in our shiny new European cars to give the report.

Count me in, it will need a fully integrated revenue collection system (what I do), we can include tuk-tuk and jet-ski operations too, one smart card for all scams

Good idea we can put a Scam App on our smartphone to save time.

I'm in

[MK1]

Ding, ding, ding!... Despite all the pessimism surrounding this project, the Governor should be applauded for trying to implement such a project even though his retirement is perhaps due in the not too distant future. As a credit to him, he is been pro-actively engaging the community by consulting the various groups which is typically part of the planning process. While this approach has been rarely seen in Phuket before, it’s perhaps what would be expected for any high-valued public transport infrastructure to be delivered successfully.

Sure, it will not please all the diehard's and grumpy's who will unfortunately be left out of the loop.

More so, there could be arise in motor vehicle accidents (known as tram-kissing ) once testing and commissioning of the system begins which initially is not unusual ...just take a look at the Australian Gold Coast newly acquired tram system for example;

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/safety-fears-sparked-after-second-southport-tram-crash/story-fnj94idh-1226830957861

Phuket, has more to gain by doing something; rather than nothing.

However, If it does get off the ground, I think the main problem will be traffic-bottle necking at tram stops which is presently a big problem for the city of Melbourne based on my experience. Also, the other fear is, there may be not enough trams provided to cater for everyone needs due to the high cost of each imported tram. So in the end, I hope they have big-pockets for the project and the capacity in order to satisfy customer demand...Good luck to the project anyway.

[bangarang]

This is an awesome idea but impractical in thailand. There will be so many thai people trying to "race" the LRT so they dont have to wait a few seconds. Accidents will definitely be up a lot! Also im sure you will get a lot of people trying to ride on the tracks to avoid traffic jams.

[Sena Dave]

Quite a few holes in this " Consultants on the project explained that the vehicles will be 30 metres long, each with a capacity of 400 passengers" Thats 2 carriages with 200 people in each ? , a bit of a squeeze one would think

Like most feasibility studies its full of wild claims , having said that I hope my company get a sniff of it

[plazot11]

Ding, ding, ding!... Despite all the pessimism surrounding this project, the Governor should be applauded for trying to implement such a project even though his retirement is perhaps due in the not too distant future. As a credit to him, he is been pro-actively engaging the community by consulting the various groups which is typically part of the planning process. While this approach has been rarely seen in Phuket before, it’s perhaps what would be expected for any high-valued public transport infrastructure to be delivered successfully.

Sure, it will not please all the diehard's and grumpy's who will unfortunately be left out of the loop.

More so, there could be arise in motor vehicle accidents (known as tram-kissing ) once testing and commissioning of the system begins which initially is not unusual ...just take a look at the Australian Gold Coast newly acquired tram system for example;

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/safety-fears-sparked-after-second-southport-tram-crash/story-fnj94idh-1226830957861

Phuket, has more to gain by doing something; rather than nothing.

However, If it does get off the ground, I think the main problem will be traffic-bottle necking at tram stops which is presently a big problem for the city of Melbourne based on my experience. Also, the other fear is, there may be not enough trams provided to cater for everyone needs due to the high cost of each imported tram. So in the end, I hope they have big-pockets for the project and the capacity in order to satisfy customer demand...Good luck to the project anyway.

The construction of the Gold Coast Light Rail has destroyed business in Surfers Paradise and Southport over the past two years. it could take 5 years to recover. Recently more than 200 vacant shops in the city center. The billion dollars in construction costs for this unwanted light rail system are unjustified as the majority did not want and will never use the trams. The QLD State Government has also guaranteed the operators 2 million dollars every week for 15 years run the service. All contracts for the light rail were done in secret owing to supposed 'commercial sensitivity' and so the ratepayers and tax payers were never aware of the costs. Phuket please do your homework there are many better alternatives just look at the new cities in China and their mass transit systems and do not commit your city to any secret contracts.

[NamKangMan]

Ding, ding, ding!... Despite all the pessimism surrounding this project, the Governor should be applauded for trying to implement such a project even though his retirement is perhaps due in the not too distant future. As a credit to him, he is been pro-actively engaging the community by consulting the various groups which is typically part of the planning process. While this approach has been rarely seen in Phuket before, it’s perhaps what would be expected for any high-valued public transport infrastructure to be delivered successfully.

Sure, it will not please all the diehard's and grumpy's who will unfortunately be left out of the loop.

More so, there could be arise in motor vehicle accidents (known as tram-kissing ) once testing and commissioning of the system begins which initially is not unusual ...just take a look at the Australian Gold Coast newly acquired tram system for example;

http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/gold-coast/safety-fears-sparked-after-second-southport-tram-crash/story-fnj94idh-1226830957861

Phuket, has more to gain by doing something; rather than nothing.

However, If it does get off the ground, I think the main problem will be traffic-bottle necking at tram stops which is presently a big problem for the city of Melbourne based on my experience. Also, the other fear is, there may be not enough trams provided to cater for everyone needs due to the high cost of each imported tram. So in the end, I hope they have big-pockets for the project and the capacity in order to satisfy customer demand...Good luck to the project anyway.

"Phuket, has more to gain by doing something; rather than nothing." - Phuket does nothing, but continually says it's doing something.

This project will never come to fruition, just like many other projects.

[IamNoone88]

30 not 3 years. It must have been a typo.

[chiang mai]

That's one long tram system, journey time start to finish must be horrendous, unless it's a bullet tram?

[hansnl]

A light rail, or tram system in Phuket.

Mostly single line?

Up till 100 km/h?

On tramrails?

Because of the planned single lines, the gauge and the kind of rolling stock, the maximum speed will be around 75 km/h and the average, very optimistic, speed around 40 km/h.

But......

What about the taxi and tuktuk people?

I am afraid...........

[TheWizardofRnR]

I remember when I moved here in 1988 there was all this news being written about the Train coming to Phuket from Surat Thani ,yes you could get here all the way to Phuket from Bangkok by train....Bernard Trink a well known Nite Owl journalist of the time even put it in his column ! Anybody seen the Coo-Choo yet ??? 26 years later , don't hold your breath !

Try Praying ! Plus its not going to travel to Patong ,Karo or Kata?

[eezergood]

Trams with stations every 3 clicks?? Every 500m nearer the mark.

Trams capable of 100kph??

What planet are they on?

Capable yes - this is theory remember..... likely NO!

I am capable of no loosing my temper daily, but not likely!

[atlbravosfan]

I like the Artists impression.

Looking forward to seeing that scene.

Fair do's! He's added three food carts or trinket sellers on the right.

He's missed the plastic rubbish, soi dogs, empty M150 bottles and parked bikes though.

Not to mention the fact he forgot there is currently a road there - or will the road just be turned into the track for the tram? I'm sure that will help traffic situations in Phuket Town.

[bigbamboo]

I like the Artists impression.

Looking forward to seeing that scene.

Looks more like Sodor than Phuket!

All that's missing is the Fat Controller.

[ozvenison]

A future job for the 70 odd mafia taxi drivers just arrested

[skorchio]

Is anyone else thinking LMAO??? ROTFL, PMSL ....

Or just laughing out loud .....

[JetsetBkk]

I like the Artists impression.

Looking forward to seeing that scene.

Fair do's! He's added three food carts or trinket sellers on the right.

He's missed the plastic rubbish, soi dogs, empty M150 bottles and parked bikes though.

Not to mention the fact he forgot there is currently a road there - or will the road just be turned into the track for the tram? I'm sure that will help traffic situations in Phuket Town.

According to the note under the picture, the tram route is crossing Phang Nga Road in "Phuiket" town, which I assumed meant it was running north-south. So it's Thepkrassatri Road and Phuket Road that are being converted into a tram route.

And I really think the "artist" ought to give some acknowledgement to Google Earth - note the time on the clocks :

And where did all the power lines go?

.

[NamKangMan]

Is it just me, or the person in the near foreground of the artist's impression looks like they are wearing a Governor Maitri Inthusut shirt designer shirt?