Light Rail train 'will run every 5 minutes' in Phuket Town: VIDEO

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Light Rail train 'will run every 5 minutes' in Phuket Town: VIDEO
Nattha Thepbamrung

PHUKET: -- Further details about Phuket̕s Light Rail System (LRS) have been revealed, including the fact that trains are expected to run every five minutes in Phuket Town.

A representative of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) – who asked not to be named in the press – told a meeting chaired by Phuket Governor Nisit Jansomwong on Thursday (January 8) that the plans for the LRS can be adjusted to fit the needs of the local people.

He also said that initially, 20-22 trains will run the full north-south route every day. "These will run from Tha-Noon in Phang Nga (the northernmost station) to Chalong Circle (the southernmost).

"Others will run inside the town to relieve traffic congestion. According to our study, trains will run every five minutes around Phuket Town.”

Just how the project will be funded is not yeat clear, though it may be modeled on the way the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration organised the Bangkok Mass Transit System (better known as the Skytrain) by identifying institutional investors who founded the Bangkok Transit System Corporation.

If that is the case, the system, once it is operational, might be privately owned but subject to oversight and pricing control by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organisation (OrBorJor).

Projections do not envisage the system making huge profits, the OTP representative said.

“We expect 70,000 passengers to use the LRS every day. With tickets selling at B18 for one stop or B160 from terminus to terminus, this will mean that the project will not be very profitable.

“But it will bring economic benefits to Phuket such as fewer people using personal vehicles, shorter travel times, fewer road accidents, and less pollution.”

Governor Nisit urged those involved to ensure that the project takes into consideration local people's needs, and also connectivity to Phuket's alternative transportation options.

He also encouraged the OTP to spread knowledge about the project widely to the local people.

“The LRS is a great public transport option for Phuket. The island is a world-class tourist destination, and we need a world-class transport system to accommodate the tourists as well as locals,” he said.

“It is essential that we make the local people understand about the need for this system, especially those living near the train route.

All kamnan (tambon chiefs) and poo yai baan (village chiefs) should be given full details about the project, including both positive and negative effects it may have on their communities, so that the people in their villages can understand exactly what the plans are.”

Vice-Governor Somkiet Sangkhawsuthirak said he believed that taxi drivers and local bus (song taew) operators will understand the need for the system, and will not oppose it.

“They will understand that the system will reduce traffic which will be good for them. Trains arriving at each station will be bringing customers to them. They will be able to make money by taking these customers to places inaccessible via the train,” he said.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/light-rail-train-will-run-every-5-minutes-in-phuket-town-video-50512.php


-- Phuket News 2015-01-13

[Mango Bob]

I can see some pickup trying to cross in front of these trains. This is something i doubt Thai drivers could handle.

[HeijoshinCool]

Just how the project will be funded is not year clear ...

But they will run every five minutes.

[siam2007]

I doubt that ANY town/City in Thailand needs a light-rail LESS than Phuket City. Due to the fact that the Transport-Mafia ruled for decades and public transport did not exist and has therefore almost no history in Phuket, virtually EVERY Phuket local owns his/her own car/Motocy. I doubt it would be profitable to operate even if it runs on just an hourly frequency. nobody will use it and after a few years, it will be discontinued.

where as a lightrail Kamala - Patong - Karon - Kata would be very successful and could afford to charge higher fares, therefore reach profitablity at one stage.....

Edited January 13, 2015 by siam2007

[keestha]

I doubt that ANY town/City in Thailand needs a light-rail LESS than Phuket City. Due to the fact that the Transport-Mafia ruled for decades and public transport did not exist and has therefore almost no history in Phuket, virtually EVERY Phuket local owns his/her own car/Motocy. I doubt it would be profitable to operate even if it runs on just an hourly frequency. nobody will use it and after a few years, it will be discontinued.

where as a lightrail Kamala - Patong - Karon - Kata would be very successful and could afford to charge higher fares, therefore reach profitablity at one stage.....

Don't agree. I am used to move around driving a car, but if there is a really efficient public transport system like the Skytrain in Bangkok, I certainly use it.

But this project in Phuket......first see and then believe.

[Guest]

One post containing insult removed.

[soalbundy]

Just how the project will be funded is not year clear ...

But they will run every five minutes.

5 MINUETS that's funny, they don't know what 5 minuets is, where i am the train always comes an hour late and arrives in Bangkok 2 hours behind schedule, i have often wondered why they even bother with time tables, like zebra crossings i suppose, nice to have.

[hansgruber]

70,000 people a day is a stretch. Thais won't give up their financed Honda's to ride a train.

[6NS]

I doubt that ANY town/City in Thailand needs a light-rail LESS than Phuket City. Due to the fact that the Transport-Mafia ruled for decades and public transport did not exist and has therefore almost no history in Phuket, virtually EVERY Phuket local owns his/her own car/Motocy. I doubt it would be profitable to operate even if it runs on just an hourly frequency. nobody will use it and after a few years, it will be discontinued.

where as a lightrail Kamala - Patong - Karon - Kata would be very successful and could afford to charge higher fares, therefore reach profitablity at one stage.....

I think you may be right on the money.

The transit infrastructure around it (this new rail system) in Phuket Town will be week where no added transit infrastructure would be needed along the coast.

And yes again to your statement that people vacationing along the coast can afford higher fairs.

It better not be your idea though or the idea will never get a thought.

[wowfactor10]

Great news for all the tourists in Patong Karon and Kata who are sick and tired from the endless hassle with the tuk tuk mafia.

Och sorry i mistaken the train is mostly for Thais heading from Pangha to Phuket town..??

matter of priorities

[maidee]

from / to the airport also ?

[inzman]

The tuktuk mafia won't let it run in their territory, unfortunately they are very powerful.

[perconrad]

When I was young in Denmark we had this kind of trains and when the roads were wet it was very slippery on the rails.

So with the many MC and scooters here there will be many accidents when the roads are wet and that they are often here.

There should be a coast line from the heroines monument via Bang Tao to Kata.

[MrY]

I doubt that ANY town/City in Thailand needs a light-rail LESS than Phuket City. Due to the fact that the Transport-Mafia ruled for decades and public transport did not exist and has therefore almost no history in Phuket, virtually EVERY Phuket local owns his/her own car/Motocy. I doubt it would be profitable to operate even if it runs on just an hourly frequency. nobody will use it and after a few years, it will be discontinued.

where as a lightrail Kamala - Patong - Karon - Kata would be very successful and could afford to charge higher fares, therefore reach profitablity at one stage.....

Don't agree. I am used to move around driving a car, but if there is a really efficient public transport system like the Skytrain in Bangkok, I certainly use it.

But this project in Phuket......first see and then believe.

Kickbacks are probably the only reason it is even under consideration, but it could work. On the other hand, like Skytrain it probably wouldn't run at night, so you still need a taxi [of some kind] or your own transportation...

[hansgruber]

When I was young in Denmark we had this kind of trains and when the roads were wet it was very slippery on the rails.

So with the many MC and scooters here there will be many accidents when the roads are wet and that they are often here.

There should be a coast line from the heroines monument via Bang Tao to Kata.

Too many hills for a train to contend with. Wouldn't work.

Buses on the other hand would but...