Expansion of Taksin station gets go-ahead

A BTS skytrain rolls into the Saphan Taksin station. The single-track riverside station is due to be expanded later this year with a second track on the part of nearby Taksin, or Sathon, bridge to reduce the bottlenecks caused by its design. (Bangkok Post file photo by Patipat Janthong)

The delayed expansion of Saphan Taksin skytrain station has been finally given the green light, with the construction set to get under way this year.

It is expected to eventually ease the suffering of commuters on the Bang Wa-National Stadium route.

Rural Roads Department (RRD) chief Pisak Jitviriyavasin has approved the expansion of the riverside station, originally designed with a small platform and single rail track, allowing it to take up more space on nearby Taksin Bridge, generally known as Sathon Bridge.

The department oversees the area where the station is situated and any changes to its structure need its approval.

The go-ahead, which has ended a two-year debate on whether to demolish or expand the station, has prompted a City Hall official, who requested anonymity, to push for a timeframe for the project.

City Hall now needs to discuss the design plan and construction costs, estimated at one billion baht, with the skytrain operator, Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTS).

BTS, which has been awarded a concession by the city to run the service, has hired a company to draft the initial design with a complete version due in two months, the City Hall official said.

He added the detailed plan will then be submitted to the Rural Roads Department for approval, which should take another month.

Work is expected to commence before the end of this year and completed in about two years.

The expansion would require 230m traffic diversions on either side of the bridge to maintain traffic flow as parts of traffic lanes on the bridge will be sacrificed to lay down the additional rail track, he said.

The RRD had earlier stipulated that the skytrain service and traffic flow must not be affected by construction works.

The only inconvenience the commuters will face during the constructions phase is that the trains will not stop at the station, leaving officials to figure out how BTS will help passengers who usually use Saphan Taksin station -- an important transport hub for those using ferries and express boats along the Chao Phraya River.

A shuttle bus service could be provided to move passengers to and from the nearest station, said the official.

The station has been causing inconvenience to passengers, making them wait for a long time to jostle into crowded carriages during rush hours, because of its limited size.