Chaos on the Airport Rail Link
Chaos on the Airport Rail Link, the light rail connection between Suvarnabhumi Airport and downtown Bangkok. Travelers are confronted with delays and long queues because trains have been removed from the timetable. Fewer trains run between 9 a.m. and 17 p.m., which means that waiting times during rush hours can be up to 30 minutes.
The problems on the line arose because the major maintenance of the equipment was delayed by a year. Spare parts have yet to be ordered, experts from Germany have yet to be found and there is no budget. In the meantime, the most necessary minor repairs are carried out, causing trains to be cancelled.
Passengers at Ratchaprarop station, the second stop on the line, have discovered a clever trick. They first travel in the opposite direction to Phaya Thai, board there and thus reach their destination. It takes more time, but that's always better than not being able to get in on Ratchaprasop.
Incidentally, delays are not a new phenomenon on the line. University lecturer Tu says that many travelers have been dissatisfied with the service for some time, because there are often delays.
The director of operator Electrified Train Co, a subsidiary of the Thai railways, offers little hope. The repairs will take another two months.
ET aims for a frequency of 15 minutes during rush hours and 20 minutes outside. The article does not mention what the previous frequency was. Major maintenance will take 12 to 16 months. When that starts, the article does not mention either.
(Source: Bangkok Post, Sept. 13, 2014)
Photos: Crowds at Phaya Thai station.
Last Wednesday and Thursday I used the airport link (cityline) 4 times. It was around noon. No problem, the trains ran every 15 minutes and according to the timetable. There had to be a lot of people standing there and during rush hour it could be complete chaos. But name me a world city where that is not the case. And also remember: for 45 bath you can be in the heart of the city from the airport within half an hour. You won't be able to do that with a taxi! Not for that money and certainly not in that time!
Personally, I still prefer the taxi. found a correct company, Thaihappytaxi, booked via the internet from home, their driver was punctually waiting for me at the agreed time. And for THB 800 to the city I certainly won't stand in line and drag my suitcases!
Standing is certainly an issue, but that also applies to the bts and mrt.
Even in the various buses, standing is very common
Delay on the line is occasional.
But still the best option in terms of speed.
Compared to the NS still a relief.
How often is the Schiphol line out? The NS even has a kind of surcharge on your ticket to ensure that you make it to your flight no matter what.
Standing in the train is also normal in the Netherlands.
Delays and dropouts are also more than daily.
So the misery is not too bad on the airport link
= The major maintenance of the rolling stock has already been delayed for a year;
= spare parts still to be ordered;
= experts from Germany still to be sought;
= a budget is missing.
Looks like yet another typical example of failed Thai management.
As in many Thai companies/organizations, when you look at a schedule listing all functions, you see that there is a truly gigantic top, often with dozens of management and similar positions.
As a rule, the figures who fill these positions are people who have no knowledge whatsoever and who are not actually involved in business operations, but are only appointed to those positions in order to collect large salaries.
This, too, is one of the problems that should be addressed as soon as possible in this country.
All the more urgent with the further expansion of all kinds of regulations in ASEAN in the coming calendar year.
It has apparently still not dawned on those 'responsible' in this country that Thailand – contrary to popular belief here in the country – is not the smartest boy in the ASEAN class, but at best one of the the suckers.
But yes… it could also be the case that those 'responsible' are well aware of this, but that they simply don't care. As long as they can keep digging into all kinds of money pots themselves, it will be worst for them.
Cab ???
800 baht???
What a joke
300 baht ! More in 25 times thailand i never paid
Tip:
Always take the airport link during the day
Taxi gets stuck in traffic after 1 km
After 20pm taxi is ok but don't be crazy
800 baht.. never pay this eh !!!
For transfers in Bangkok, 800 baht is a price you hear more often Leo. Often even more. But you don't have to do things yourself. Comfort may cost quite a bit for many people. For those who are concerned about how to catch a meter taxi or the Airportlink, Thailandblog Youtube is a good source of information.
Indeed Leo, 800 THB is a very fair price for the ride from Suvarnabhumi to BKK center. usually you see prices of 1200 and even 1500 THB. I have also considered taking the airport link, which I think is a great means of transport, but then you are at Makkasan station and you still have to take a taxi to reach your final destination. I choose it for comfort and convenience....
I have never experienced 800 Bath with a meter taxi, maximum 300 Bath!
That won't happen to you Davy. You have people who arrange a transfer before departure and you have people like you who take a meter taxi or the airport link. All possible. A transfer arranged in advance is often 800 or more. If you google you will see that a transfer of 800 baht is one of the reasonable prices in the transfer market. You are handy and already save a lot on your holiday budget. The other enjoys a carefree transfer by luxury car.