The new BTS extension from On Nut to Bearing.

Started by thaitransit, November 28, 2012, 11:37:19 PM

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thaitransit

On the 14th August 2011 I visited and photographed the new BTS extension from On Nut BTS station to Bearing BTS station. This extension opened on 12th august 2011 so my visit was only a couple days after full services had commenced on the new section.

A little background on the BTS:

Tenders for the BTS system were called in 1991 with Tanayong Group as the successful winner of the project. Construction of the BTS system commenced in 1992 and the system opened in 1999 with two lines running from Mochit to On Nut and National Stadium to Saphan Taksin.

After years of political disputes over funding and planning for further extensions to the initial BTS system. No further extensions were built until BMA (Bangkok City Council) decided to fully fund the construction of all new extensions in 2005. This has resulted in a 2.2 km route extension from Saphan Taksin to Wong Wian Yai that opened in 2009 and a 5.25 km route extension from On Nut to Bearing that opened in 2011. Two further extensions to the BTS system are currently under construction these are a 5.25km extension from Wong Wian Yai to Bang Wa (Phet Kasem road) opening in 2013. Also a 10.6km extension from Bearing to Paknam (Samut Prakan province) opening in 2015.

The 5.25km long On Nut to Bearing extension runs along Sukhumvit road between Soi 81 and Soi 107. Construction started on this extension in 2007 and was completed in August 2011. This short extension to the BTS system added around 100000 extra passengers a day to the system and saved between 40 and 60 minutes of travelling time for passengers during peak periods over this section. The BTS extension has also helped to ease the pressure on the bus services beyond On Nut station with Paknam passengers transferring at Bearing instead of On Nut.

Currently the BTS system covers a route distance of 30.45km and serves a total of 31 stations. The BTS skytrain system primarily provides mass transit services to inner city areas of Bangkok. However recent extensions and upcoming extensions to the system is now pushing the BTS system into the middle suburban areas around Bangkok. These extensions and increasing urban development along the existing lines has helped increase daily passenger number to around 700000 people. Thus helping the BTS system to turn its first profit in 2009 after 10 years of losses mostly related to lower passenger numbers in the first 5 years of operation.

This increase in passenger numbers on the BTS system has resulted in longer periods of overcrowding during peak travel periods on the existing lines. As a result an additional carriage for each of the 35 original trains on the BTS system have been ordered that will allow all trains to operate in 4 carriage sets. Thus giving an additional 25% extra capacity per train. As the system continues to grow further carriages will be needed bring the train length to its 6 carriage maximum.

The rolling stock used on the BTS system consists of 35 Siemens Modular Metro trains arranged in 3 carriage sets. Also 12 CNR Changchun Bombardier Movia trains arranged in 4 carriage sets for use on the Silom line. All trains are stored at the system depot located next to Mochit BTS station. This depot was originally meant to be built underneath Lumpini park in central Bangkok but widespread public opposition forced it to be built in its current location at Mochit.

The BTS system operates from 6am to 12am 7 days a week with peak hour frequencies of up to every 90 seconds. Generally the trains run every 4 to 5 minutes throughout the day. The fares cost between 15 and 55 Baht per trip depending on distance travelled. A refillable contactless smartcard  stored value ticket is used on the system. Also a prepaid multi trip pass is used for regular commuters. In the near future a new multi system contactless smartcard ticket known as Rabbit card that will allow access to the BRT and MRT system on a single ticket.

Now onto the photographs of the BTS extension:

5. This is an image of a Siemens BTS train on a service to Bearing. Taken as it powers away from On Nut station.



13. This is a view of Bang Chak station taken looking along Sukhumvit road  from a footbridge outside the station. Note the height of the curb around the bus stop outside the station.



44. This is a video of a Siemens BTS set rounding the Bang Na curve on approach to Udom Suk station with a service to Mochit. The Bang Na curve requires the trains to slow down significantly and it one of two such tight curves on the BTS system the other is at Victory Monument.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79r5hfJ1dz8

58. This is a shot of a Siemens BTS train rounding the Bang Na curve on a service to Bearing. Taken from Bang Na station looking North.



59. This is a pair of Siemens BTS trains approaching each other between the Bang Na curve and Bang Na station.



60. This is another shot of a pair of Siemens BTS trains passing each other between Bang Na station and Bang Na curve.



76. This is an image of a Siemens BTS train heading towards Bang Na station on a service to Mochit. Taken just after it had departed from Bearing station.



86. This is a shot of a Siemens BTS train waiting in the holding track at the end of the line after Bearing station.



95. This is a shot of a pair of Siemens BTS trains waiting at Bearing station. The right hand train is about to depart for Mochit.



If you would like to see more images and video of the BTS extension from On Nut to Bearing please visit:

http://thaitransit.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/the-new-bts-extension-from-on-nut-to.html

I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures.