THAILAND ONE/ TRAVEL EXPERIENCES
BTS: THE SKYTRAIN IN BANGKOK
S INCE 2014, half-sized platform screen doors have been installed at several stations, including On Nut, Phrom Phong, Asok, Chit Lom, Siam, Thong Lor, Phaya Thai, Victory Monument, Sala Daeng, Chong Nonsi, and Surasak. However, the installation process has faced challenges; for example, the installation at Phrom Phong station in December 2013 encountered software issues, leading to a six-hour shutdown of all BTS services and significant traffic congestion throughout the city. Fares for the Skytrain in Bangkok are based on the distance traveled. In 2007, a stored-value card called the BTS Smartpass was introduced but was replaced in May 2012 by the Rabbit Card, a more advanced electronic payment system. The Rabbit Card covers fares for both the BTS and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and it can also be used for various services and restaurants affiliated with the BTS. For single journeys, passengers can buy tickets from machines at the stations. These tickets need to be tapped upon entering the paid area and inserted at the exit gates, where they are retained. The Mangmoom Card, intended for use across multiple transport systems, including the Skytrain, MRT, and Airport Rail Link, has faced several delays in its rollout. Originally set to launch in 2015, it is currently not valid for use on the BTS. At present, passengers must purchase separate tickets for travel on different Bangkok train systems, specifically the Skytrain and the Airport Rail Link. In contrast, the MRT and the SRT Red Line accept EMV (Europay, Mastercard, and Visa) contactless payments, allowing passengers to use their credit or debit cards directly at the entry gates. —
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THAILAND ONE
AUGUST/ SEPTEMBER 2024
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