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[Meridian007]

infernalman7, on 2009-12-03 01:31:41, said:

@KhunDave. The trial running of any kind is not open for the public! Well, technically it is but you must show your passport or ID at the State Railway office to obtain the tickets.

Is the state railway office in Hua Lamphong? I'd be willing to come downtown to try this out. Is anyone else planning on it?

[infernalman7]

Meridian007, on 2009-12-03 11:27:50, said:

infernalman7, on 2009-12-03 01:31:41, said:

@KhunDave. The trial running of any kind is not open for the public! Well, technically it is but you must show your passport or ID at the State Railway office to obtain the tickets.

Is the state railway office in Hua Lamphong? I'd be willing to come downtown to try this out. Is anyone else planning on it?

It is.

[infernalman7]

theoldgit, on 2009-12-03 10:18:13, said:

infernalman7, on 2009-12-03 01:31:41, said:

As for connections to the other mass transit systems, the City Line of the ARL will connect with BTS Phayathai Station. The CAT will be linked with an MRT station, the tendering process for the underground connection is on the way. Please please please do not bash before you know the facts.

Clearly you are the expert on such things, and that is not a sarcastic comment, but why do they wait until the thing is almost open before they even tender for the building of an underground link?

Because it is the other entity that is building the connection. It's the BMA (Bangkok Metropolitan Administration), not SRT or MRT. And you know how much of a bitch the SRT can be when it comes to working with others (not now though, I mean before the SRT administration really has the power before that it's the labor union)

[NanLaew]

I saw it running today, it was headed towards the airport and I had a good enough view to see lots of heads through the tinted glass. I believe that today the 5th was the start of public access to the testing so hoping that one of the venerable TV Bangkok residents with too much time on their hands will give it a shot and report back.

I had to pop out the the airport to buy an AirAsia ticket this morning and would like to think that using the rapid transit would be a easier way to do this.

[tartempion]

NanLaew, on 2009-12-05 17:36:03, said:

I had to pop out the the airport to buy an AirAsia ticket this morning and would like to think that using the rapid transit would be a easier way to do this.

Seems to me that buying a ticket on Air Asia's website is an "easier way" than riding the airport link and wasting a few hours on top of that, unless you consider traveling to Swampy a day out

[infernalman7]

NanLaew, on 2009-12-05 17:36:03, said:

I saw it running today, it was headed towards the airport and I had a good enough view to see lots of heads through the tinted glass. I believe that today the 5th was the start of public access to the testing so hoping that one of the venerable TV Bangkok residents with too much time on their hands will give it a shot and report back.

I had to pop out the the airport to buy an AirAsia ticket this morning and would like to think that using the rapid transit would be a easier way to do this.

Nope. The public trial run is due to end on Monday (today as of this time).

If you want to use it, then you gotta wait until April. Very sad how they have to delay all this because of the stupid labor union. Reminds me of the labor union drama they had in Paris with SNCF.

[Meridian007]

The trial run is finished already?!?! I thought they wanted to work out any problems and train staff. I was hoping it would last for a week at least...

[languageexpress]

fire and ice, on 2009-11-16 03:45:29, said:

The whole rial link is a gigantic white elephant - why would anyone want to use it in prefernec eot a taxi? It only cuts out the fast (freeway) part of your journey to/from the airport and then you have to get to/from the airport rail station anyway - heaps more hassle and a lot slower than a taxi. And if its 150 baht you will end up paying less to get a taxi (for most ultimate destinations) even if you are traveling alone. Even if it is a bit cheaper overall, who in their right mind wants to endure all the hassle to possible save about $1 ??

Can you imagine the chaos if thousands of bag toting tourists actually tried to get off the train in the city? The currently well mannered BTS stations would be thronged with touts and dodgy taxi drivers. Doesn’t bear thinking about!

But I don’t think many tourists will take the rail link, and at least it gives people an option. I head out to Swampy quite a bit to greet arriving friends, it will be nice to avoid the taxis and traffic on the way out..Think I’ll probably catch a cab back in, can’t see any way to do it without double handling luggage and dealing with the Tax-maf.

[infernalman7]

Yup. About the touts and taxi-maf, you can't really be sure. They will be back! But the system sure will be another option for people.

The real deal is when they extend the ARL system to Pattaya and Rayong. (40 mins to Pattaya) That's when the system will be put into the real use.


EDIT:
so far it looks pretty clean

Edited by infernalman7, 2009-12-07 21:52:31.

[eggomaniac]

http://www.bussuvarn...mikohchang.com/
I was just using the online Support at this site, asking how long it would take from Chatujak to the airport on the new Sky Train.
The lady said the start was supposed to be Dec 5th, but has been delayed for a few months. Same info Infernalman7 posted.; active use is a few months off.....

[NanLaew]

tartempion, on 2009-12-06 06:30:46, said:

NanLaew, on 2009-12-05 17:36:03, said:

I had to pop out the the airport to buy an AirAsia ticket this morning and would like to think that using the rapid transit would be a easier way to do this.

Seems to me that buying a ticket on Air Asia's website is an "easier way" than riding the airport link and wasting a few hours on top of that, unless you consider traveling to Swampy a day out

Yes, yes, yes... but, AirAsia doesn't allow you to purchase online when requested travel is within 24-hours.

Now I suppose you will suggest I use their call center and book it that way. You should try that some time!

[theoldgit]

NanLaew, on 2009-12-10 08:13:40, said:

Yes, yes, yes... but, AirAsia doesn't allow you to purchase online when requested travel is within 24-hours.

Now I suppose you will suggest I use their call center and book it that way. You should try that some time!

I thought that when you made your post, I have been in this position a couple of times, have you tried using one of their booths in Tescos and the like? I have usually gone to their booth in Tescos at On Nut, there is direct access from the BTS, it's convienient for me but of course depends where you live.

[wasabi]

I've read this entire thread and it's not clear to me if it is possible or not to take the airport link to a BTS or MRT station thus being able to make it all the way to BKK? I do understand hauling one's luggage on the BTS or MRT is probably impossible but for Domestic flights inside Thailand where I just have a bookbag it could be doable. So does the Airport link actually provide a way to get on the BTS and MRT even if a short walk is needed between stations and one in which you don't have to risk your life running across a highway?

[toptuan]

wasabi, on 2009-12-27 09:05:35, said:

I've read this entire thread and it's not clear to me if it is possible or not to take the airport link to a BTS or MRT station thus being able to make it all the way to BKK? I do understand hauling one's luggage on the BTS or MRT is probably impossible but for Domestic flights inside Thailand where I just have a bookbag it could be doable. So does the Airport link actually provide a way to get on the BTS and MRT even if a short walk is needed between stations and one in which you don't have to risk your life running across a highway?

No.

[Meridian007]

wasabi, on 2009-12-27 09:05:35, said:

I've read this entire thread and it's not clear to me if it is possible or not to take the airport link to a BTS or MRT station thus being able to make it all the way to BKK? I do understand hauling one's luggage on the BTS or MRT is probably impossible but for Domestic flights inside Thailand where I just have a bookbag it could be doable. So does the Airport link actually provide a way to get on the BTS and MRT even if a short walk is needed between stations and one in which you don't have to risk your life running across a highway?

Not yet. The "end of the line" is not Makkasan (sp?) Station, the city line aspect of the airport train ends at Phya Thai BTS station. There isn't an elevated walkway connecting the end to the BTS yet, but it is in the plan, and may be completed by the time the train opens. Even if it isn't finished, there are no roads to be crossed there, you would just have to go down and up a bunch of stairs at both stations.

There are also plans to join Makkasan Station to the Petchaburi MRT station, but I think that will take a long time.

This is why I think that the express aspect of the airport line won't see as much use as the city one. The city line will be cheaper, only 15 minutes slower, and will be close (or connected to) the BTS. Unless the BTS makes some kind of regulation about luggage, I think this will be much more popular.

Edited by Meridian007, 2009-12-27 11:11:56.

[almavro]

You gotta luv it... In order to get to the slick link to the airport, you've gotta journey to the heart of traffic-dom in Bangkok, second only to Yaowarat: Makkasan! It will take most of us longer to get that far than to simply scoot right on over to the airport, by whatever means available.

I reckon the kids going to uni in the Hua Mark area come out the best. And maybe a housing estate or two along the way, plus the wealthier airport employees.

Tourists? You're kidding, right?

[h90]

Geekfreaklover, on 2009-11-15 19:18:34, said:

lothda, on 2009-11-12 18:47:02, said:

There was only a short period of public trial runs so far. The full test run, open to the public, is scheduled to start on December 5. The official opening is now set for April 2010. Cost for a ticket will be 150 Baht for a single journey between airport and city terminal.

Not sure if im becoming tight-fisted in my old-age (probably am), but 150bt seems quite expensive considering the general cost of public transport and taxis around town.

Well the fee is 50 Baht for the transportation and 100 Baht for the Taxi driver doesn't fill your ears with nonsense and try to scam you.

[sbk]

So, if test runs are now open to the public, anyone been on it yet?

[Meridian007]

The test run was only open for two days.    Now we have to wait until April at the earliest to try it.

[marstop]

@ 400 THB

fantuzi, on 2009-11-15 19:44:37, said:

Geekfreaklover, on 2009-11-15 19:18:34, said:

lothda, on 2009-11-12 18:47:02, said:

There was only a short period of public trial runs so far. The full test run, open to the public, is scheduled to start on December 5. The official opening is now set for April 2010. Cost for a ticket will be 150 Baht for a single journey between airport and city terminal.

Not sure if im becoming tight-fisted in my old-age (probably am), but 150bt seems quite expensive considering the general cost of public transport and taxis around town.

Remember airport bus from DM?It was 100B,so 150B on new rail link doesnt seem to much.Similar train in HK cost also 100,but HK$ which is 5 times more!
In KL it costs about 350B;in Singapore - may be 40B only(it is regular MRT not airport train)
Could I ask here,on the same shot - how much is normal taxi fare(meter) from new airport to Morchit bus station?Thanks for any advice,I hate to be
overcharged.

[mrtoad]

Tried it out - 15 baht at the moment. However, if you have luggage it is just a total pain in the ass.

Be warned as well, Taxi drivers by Makasan are con artists - the guys meter racked up 160 baht from there to Asoke - on a journey that should be around 80 baht at the best of time taking the longer route around. The station is not user friendly, poor signage - to be honest a total farce. Will not be using it again.

[wpcoe]

mrtoad, on 2010-09-07 21:37:52, said:

Tried it out - 15 baht at the moment. However, if you have luggage it is just a total pain in the ass.

If, for no other reason, it's incredibly crowded, even at non-rush hour times!

I did a day-trip from Jomtien to Bangok using the train between the airport and Phaya Thai round-trip, and even at 1030am, it would have been a P.I.T.A. to ride with luggage.  Needless to say, my return trip to the airport at 530pm was "crush hour."