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A little extra BTS and SRT.

How to save energy through both societal and individual actions.

A little extra BTS and SRT.

Unread postby gwmss15 » Sun 12 Oct 2008, 07:52:52

It’s been a while since my last post. However I have had quite a few other distractions over the last 6 weeks. This topic is a new look on some previous forms of Thai mass transport.

About a week ago while in the city I took the opportunity to take some new BTS images on a day with much clearer weather and more sunshine than my last round of BTS images.

The BTS is Thailand’s first real metro system. It opened in 1999 just 2 years after the Asian financial crisis that had laid waste to many other good ideas and projects in Thailand.

There are currently 2 lines operating on the BTS system. The first line runs from Onnut (Sukhumvit Soi 77) in the south to Mochit (near Chatuchuk Park) in the north. The second line runs from Saphan Taksin (near the Chao Phraya River) to National Stadium (Next to MBK shopping centre).

The Onnut – Mochit route covers lower and middle Sukhumvit road and Phanon Yothin road via Siam. The Saphan Taksin to National Stadium route covers part of Sathorn and Silom Roads and operates via Siam where a connection with the Onnut – Mochit line exists.

The BTS is the fastest way to travel in the inner city areas of Bangkok taking only 27 minutes to travel from Onnut to Mochit. Before the BTS opened in 1999 it took 90 minutes to travel by taxi from Siam to Mochit. Therefore it can be said that the BTS along with the more recent underground MRT line plays a massive role at keeping inner city Bangkok moving and a livable place.

Currently under construction there are two BTS extensions.

1. Saphan Taksin to Wong Wien Yai (Thonburi) This extension is complete but heavily delayed by local politics. However it’s now expected to open in April 2009 but don’t hold your breath.

2. Onnut to Sukhumvit Soi 107 (Bang Na) This extension is currently being built and is about 50% complete and is due to open some time in 2011 hopefully without any political problems delaying the opening.

General BTS information.

Fares range from 15 baht to 40 baht per trip depending on distance. Cheaper multi trip passes are available allowing a fixed price per trip regardless of distance travelled. Also a more recent stored value smartcard ticket gives users a 20% discount off the normal single fares.

The BTS operates from 6am to 12am 7 days a week on all lines. At peak times BTS trains operate every 2 minutes. Off peak it’s every 5 minutes and every 7 minutes late at night.

1. This is a general View of the BTS elevated track looking south along Sukhumvit road. Taken from Asoke BTS station. Note the density of development in this section of Sukhumvit roads. The BTS has helped make this development sustainable.

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2. This is an image of a BTS train heading toward Mochit. Taken as it approached Asoke Station. Note how the elevated track is wider in this section. This is to allow a short holding siding mid route.

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3. This is a shot of a BTS train heading towards Saphan Taksin. Taken as it rounds the tight curves between Chong Nonsi and Sala Daeng (Silom) Stations. Note how the BTS elevated track is build over an existing khlong.

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4. This is another angle on the same BTS train as it approaches Chong Nonsi BTS station.

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5. This is a shot of two BTS trains passing at the northern end of Chong Nonsi station. Note how most BTS trains are also used as mobile billboards.

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Now for a little bit of SRT.

This next section of images is a mixture of SRT rail images from around Thailand. They don’t form part of any particular route or special SRT trip. Theses areas and lines have been covered in more detail in earlier topics.

1. This is a shot of an inbound SRT intercity loco hauled commuter train. taken as it approached Rangsit SRT station. SRT loco number 4302. Loco type Alstrom.

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2. This is an image of a inbound SRT intercity express DMU train. Taken as it approaches Rangsit SRT station. This is a Japanese made Hitachi DMU. This type of DMU is very common in Thailand. It was built in the early 1980s for SRT rail.

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3. This is another closer view of the inbound Hitachi DMU at Rangsit station. Rangsit station is on the main north line and is the 1st major commuter station in Bangkok. Although its under the city of Pathum Thani.

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4. This is a shot of a south bound cement train waiting for line clear at Prachup Khiri Khan Station and loop. SRT loco number 4132. This is one of many cement trains operated by SRT rail.

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5. This is another angle on the south bound cement train. Taken from within the sidings of Prachup Khiri Khan Station.

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If you would like to find out more information and see more pictures please visit:

http://thaitransit.blogspot.com/2008/10 ... d-srt.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.
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Re: A little extra BTS and SRT.

Unread postby WyoDutch » Sun 12 Oct 2008, 08:14:14

Don't try taking those types of photos here in the land of the formerly Free and the home of the previously brave.

The State now considers photographing trains and bridges to be a suspicious act.

Washington Post - 2/26/2006: "Douglas DeLeaver, chief of the Maryland Transit Administration Police, one of two agencies that patrol MARC trains, said his officers have the discretion to question people who take pictures of trains.

"Because of 9/11 and the London bombing, you have to make a request to take pictures," he said. "We normally don't let people take a lot of pictures of the trains and tracks. If you have a valid reason, a tourist taking a casual picture on the platform, that's okay. But if you want to look underneath the train, no."
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Re: A little extra BTS and SRT.

Unread postby Ferretlover » Sun 12 Oct 2008, 08:52:42

Re: WyoDutch's post:

A Choice of weapons by Tim Nelson 21 Aug 2008
[Photo of camera] Does this look like a threat to public safety to you?
It's starting to feel a little like that on St. Paul streets these days, photographers are finding as the Republican National Convention is approaching.
At least three times in recent weeks, photographers say they've been stopped on public streets or sidewalks, told to stop taking pictures or produce identification or leave the area.
It happened to me yesterday, as I was walking down West 7th Street, past the St. Paul headquarters of the Travelers insurance company, carrying a Nikon SLR. A Wackenhut Corp. security guard approached me on the sidewalk, held up his hand to break my stride, then told me that I needed to show identification. He was wearing the same uniform as the guys you can see walking around inside the Travelers atrium.

link

Minnesota town tells Google Maps to get lost 1 Jun 2008
A small town in Minnesota has told Google that its Street View feature can hit the road. North Oaks, a private community of 4,500 residents north of St. Paul, isn’t too keen on outsiders traipsing through its privately owned streets—even if [it] is only on the Internet.
According to the city’s Web site, the roads are rivately owned, and a not-trespassing sign greets potential visitors to the city.
So city officials were really unhappy when images of their streets and homes appeared on the Google Maps Street View feature, which presents a view of dozens of United States cities from a driver’s perspective. ...
For those who weren’t exactly comfortable with ordinary photos of their property appearing on the Net, get ready to reveal a little more. A couple of weeks ago, Google confirmed that it is gathering 3D data, along with the photographs it takes for its online Street View service.
link

gwmss15, has the rail system reduced the automobile traffic/usage?
"Open the gates of hell!" ~Morgan Freeman's character in the movie, Olympus Has Fallen.
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Re: A little extra BTS and SRT.

Unread postby frankthetank » Sun 12 Oct 2008, 09:21:23

On that one photo you can see satellite dishes that are pointed almost directly overhead... Must be right on the equator!

I'm guessing your electricity comes for coal? Where is that imported froM?

How has this area been affected by the economic crisis?
lawns should be outlawed.
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Re: A little extra BTS and SRT.

Unread postby gwmss15 » Sun 12 Oct 2008, 10:40:36

The economy here has been getting slowly weaker since mid 2005 but alot of this is political factors of a very unstable govt.

Yes we are about 11 degrees North latitude. So fairly close to the equator.

Most of our electric power comes from Natural Gas and diesel oil. There has been alot of plans and talk about building Nuclear power plants in the major industrial areas. But like most things its held up due to govt problems that seem to have no end in site.

in urban areas energy use is very high due to almost 24/7 aircon demand. rural areas energy is very low.

Mass transport use in urban areas is around 50% of all trips.

Rural areas (north east) around 70%

Rural areas North around 50%

Rural areas south around 20%.

The economic meltdown hasn't really hit home yet as share investment is only for the wealthy 2% here. Plus insurance take up is under 10% for individuals. Company's are a different story though.

Food costs are a major issue even now despite a slowing of the increase. Most people are spending around 50% of there income on food and food related costs. Up from around 20 % just 18 months ago.

The govt has when it could tried to offer cost of living reductions by cutting the cost of transport (free buses and intercity trains) offering low income users free electric power and water, Increasing use of NG in all modes of transport by fixing the price at a low 8.5 baht per kg. LPG similar deal.

However much more can be done on the infrastructure side and foreign investment policy.
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