By Geoffrey Carter – Society of Professional Engineers Thailand
| THE BTS Skytrain ridership reached 20,186,771 for the month of July 2015 and average weekday ridership has peaked at 727,109. The current length of the Dark Green line (Bearing to Mo Chit) is 22.25km. This will be extended by 12.8km, when the extension to Samut Prakan is opened in 2018 and later by a further 7kms, when the line is extended to Bang Pu. |  |
Additionally the line is being extended 18.4 km northwards to Khu Khot, and then 6.5km to Lam Lukka. It is scheduled for operation in 2020. The total length of the Dark Green line will then be 66.95km, three times the current length.
The Light Green Line is currently 14.5km in length and runs from National Stadium to Bang Wa. It is scheduled to be extended by 7km to Borommaratchachonnani, and 1km from National Stadium to Yotse, with operation taking place in 2019. The total length of the Light Green Line will then be 22.5km.
Passengers have expressed concern that the BTS cannot cope with the extra passengers created due to the extension of the Skytrain system. They also complain about overcrowding. One explanation is that the BTS uses a passenger density of 8/m² compared with Siemens’ original recommendation of 6/m², the theory is that Asians are generally smaller than Europeans and Americans. One four-car train therefore is designed to carry 1,490 passengers.
Passengers should be aware that the BTS system is controlled by a computer system which feeds trains in and out of the system depending on calculated demand. Overcrowding only occurs when the computer does not increase the train frequency at the right time to the current peak 2.5minute headway, as is normally operated during the rush hour (7am to 9am), in case of a sudden surge in passengers due to special events near stations on the line.
From 9.30am to 4pm the trains run only every 5.5 minutes. The system can cope with higher passenger demand to avoid overcrowding, by reducing the headway as required to minimum 2 minute headway if the computer is fed the right information.
The Light Green Line is currently 14.5km in length and runs from National Stadium to Bang Wa. It is scheduled to be extended by 7km to Borommaratchachonnani, and 1km from National Stadium to Yotse, with operation taking place in 2019. The total length of the Light Green Line will then be 22.5km.
Passengers have expressed concern that the BTS cannot cope with the extra passengers created due to the extension of the Skytrain system. They also complain about overcrowding. One explanation is that the BTS uses a passenger density of 8/m² compared with Siemens’ original recommendation of 6/m², the theory is that Asians are generally smaller than Europeans and Americans. One four-car train therefore is designed to carry 1,490 passengers.
Passengers should be aware that the BTS system is controlled by a computer system which feeds trains in and out of the system depending on calculated demand. Overcrowding only occurs when the computer does not increase the train frequency at the right time to the current peak 2.5minute headway, as is normally operated during the rush hour (7am to 9am), in case of a sudden surge in passengers due to special events near stations on the line.
From 9.30am to 4pm the trains run only every 5.5 minutes. The system can cope with higher passenger demand to avoid overcrowding, by reducing the headway as required to minimum 2 minute headway if the computer is fed the right information.
This map, which featured in our July issue, shows what the future of Bangkok travel could look like
| BTS extension to Samut Prakan (+12.8kms) This extension is estimated to serve 57,000 passengers per day; however, the extension follows the bus routes that run along Sukhumvit Road from Samut Prakan. As such, many of the existing BTS commuters first board a bus or taxi and change to the BTS at Bearing Station so the number of additional passengers using the BTS will be increased only by those who currently do not use the BTS at all. Based on these estimates the net increase in the first year may only be 20,000 passengers/day (600,000/month). |   Rush hour crush: Travelling at peak times will be even more crowded |
BTS extension from Samut Prakan to Bang Pu (+7kms)
Again, Bang Pu is the main bus garage and terminus for the buses feeding the BTS at Bearing. However, the route passes by Ancient Siam and ends near the Bang Pu Resort, and also connects with other feeder roads and large industrial estates. It is therefore possible that an additional 40,000 passengers/day will join the BTS via this extension. Furthermore, Bang Pu will be the site of the 40 acre southern train >>
depot (20 x 6 car trains). An additional train depot will be built at Khu Khot (18 x 6 car trains).
Effect on BTS Bangna Station from BMA LRT Bangna to Suvarnabhumi Airport (18.3km)
It is estimated that in the first year of operation that this line will carry 77,000 passengers/day. It is possible that this line will increase the number of passengers using the BTS by around 40,000/day.
Reasons for overcrowding at peak times
1. Computer is not operating the trains at peak frequency.
2. BTS requirements are 8 persons/m² or 1,490persons/4 car train (Asian size persons). Siemens original passenger density was 6 persons/m² or 1,100 persons/4 car train.
3. Space reduced due to government encouragement to take bicycles on the train
4. Space reduced due to tourists and traders carrying large parcels and luggage
Additional observations
1. There is a move by passengers to have Hi-So, ladies only, and no-noise carriages.
2. Six-car trains should have one car with a section for passengers with bicycles, etc.
3. The BMA Bangna to Airport LRT link line will greatly increase passengers at peak.
4. BTS estimate that by the time the complete Mass Transit System is completed, the number of passengers handled per day by BTS will increase to 1.4 million/day. 5. 35 additional cars were envisaged to be purchased on completion of the extensions from Bang Pu to Khu Khot/Lam Lukka to make 35 x 6 car trains for that line. If the LRT Bangna Airport link line goes ahead, these trains already need to be purchased and delivered in time for the opening in 2019.
Finally, the name of Borommaratchachonnani station should be changed to something we can all pronounce.
Again, Bang Pu is the main bus garage and terminus for the buses feeding the BTS at Bearing. However, the route passes by Ancient Siam and ends near the Bang Pu Resort, and also connects with other feeder roads and large industrial estates. It is therefore possible that an additional 40,000 passengers/day will join the BTS via this extension. Furthermore, Bang Pu will be the site of the 40 acre southern train >>
depot (20 x 6 car trains). An additional train depot will be built at Khu Khot (18 x 6 car trains).
Effect on BTS Bangna Station from BMA LRT Bangna to Suvarnabhumi Airport (18.3km)
It is estimated that in the first year of operation that this line will carry 77,000 passengers/day. It is possible that this line will increase the number of passengers using the BTS by around 40,000/day.
Reasons for overcrowding at peak times
1. Computer is not operating the trains at peak frequency.
2. BTS requirements are 8 persons/m² or 1,490persons/4 car train (Asian size persons). Siemens original passenger density was 6 persons/m² or 1,100 persons/4 car train.
3. Space reduced due to government encouragement to take bicycles on the train
4. Space reduced due to tourists and traders carrying large parcels and luggage
Additional observations
1. There is a move by passengers to have Hi-So, ladies only, and no-noise carriages.
2. Six-car trains should have one car with a section for passengers with bicycles, etc.
3. The BMA Bangna to Airport LRT link line will greatly increase passengers at peak.
4. BTS estimate that by the time the complete Mass Transit System is completed, the number of passengers handled per day by BTS will increase to 1.4 million/day. 5. 35 additional cars were envisaged to be purchased on completion of the extensions from Bang Pu to Khu Khot/Lam Lukka to make 35 x 6 car trains for that line. If the LRT Bangna Airport link line goes ahead, these trains already need to be purchased and delivered in time for the opening in 2019.
Finally, the name of Borommaratchachonnani station should be changed to something we can all pronounce.
