Airport Rail Link 'fixed' by end of year

A conductor checks passenger tickets on a diesel train running between Lat Krabang and Hua Lamphong stations on Friday.

All of the Airport Rail Link's (ARL) existing trains will be fully operational by the end of the year, a move expected to vastly improve passenger congestion, the route operator's chief Wisut Chanmani says.

Mr Wisut's comments were made after the State Railway of Thailand -- the parent organisation of ARL operator SRT Electrified Train Co (SRTET) -- decided to deploy two diesel-powered trains to decrease passenger congestion during morning and evening rush hours yesterday.

According to SRTET reports, the ARL is currently able to use only a maximum of six trains for its electric train network. Although it has nine trains, three are undergoing maintenance.

Commuters have cried foul over the severe congestion at ARL stations over the past week.

The WhatsHappenARL Facebook Page posted recently: "Urgent! since last Friday, only four trains [of ARL] are operational. Please avoid riding the ARL. May the force be with you."

Deputy Transport Minister Pailin Chuchottaworn said yesterday he had instructed the SRT to purchase more parts for the trains to ensure the they don't have to be decommissioned for maintenance in the future.

He said the trains are currently waiting on a parts purchasing deal with Germany-based Siemens AG.

Mr Wisut said the 7th train will be up and running next month, with the 8th following in July.

"The ARL was originally expected to bring passengers from Suvarnabhumi airport into Bangkok, but the popularity of this mode of transport has increased greatly over the years," Mr Pailin said.

"Therefore, [the trains] are not enough to keep up with the demand, which leads to the wear-and-tear process being sped up."

The ARL currently services an average of 70,000 passengers per day.

The route has faced a barrage of criticism following persistent delays in procuring new trains for its network.

To combat the lack of trains, the SRTET has brought forward the first train leaving Suvarnabhumi from 6am to 5.30am each morning.

The SRT yesterday began rolling out extra diesel-powered trains between Hua Lamphong to Lat Krabang railway stations.

The authority's acting governor Anon Luangboriboon said two trains of six carriages each will be deployed from Monday to Friday as part of the move.

Two of the carriages will be air-conditioned, while the remaining four will be open-air carriages.

He said the train will arrive at Hua Lamphong at 8.40am. The evening train will depart from Hua Lamphong at 6.30pm, reaching Lat Krabang at 7.25pm.

Each trip will have eight stops, with each stop being located nearby the Airport Link's stations. The exception would be Hua Lamphong.

According to Mr Anon, tickets for the whole trip for air-conditioned carriages will be 20 baht, while open-air carriages will be 10 baht.