Subway Resumes Full Service After 3-hour Shutdown

[george]

Subway resumes full service after 3-hour partial shutdown

BANGKOK: -- Full service in all stations resumed in Bangkok's subway at 4pm Tuesday afternoon after a three-hour shutdown due to brake problems kept two trains at Klong Toey station, blocking part of the line.

The MRTA ground to a halt for three hours Tuesday afternoon due to brake system difficulties, according to officials.

Commuters using Bangkok underground trains heard an announcement of apology for inconvenience made through the loudspeaker by the train staff as the train encountered technical problems in connection with its air brake system.

A Bangsue-bound train was forced to stop at 1pm on arrival at Klong Toey station, between Lumphini and Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre stations on the 20 kilometre subway line.

Decrease in brake pipe pressure caused the inconvenience, Mr. Ronnachit Yaemsaard, deputy governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) told reporters after the incident.

Another train was brought in to pulling the brake-flawed train out of the station to a holding shunting, but it experienced similar technical difficulties as well.

With a lowered supply of compressed air in the brakes, the two trains were accordingly stopped at the station, resulting in the train line being blocked there, Mr. Ronnachit said.

In an immediate attempt to maintain its service, subway operator MRTA provided usual services for some stations not affected by the rail blockage, he said.

The deputy governor said the MRTA was trying its best to fix the defected trains to have its full service resumed as soon as possible.

The Thai capital's young subway was closed for several days last January following a train accident.

--TNA 2006-07-04