Horizondave Posted January 25 Posted January 25 For info: https://prachataienglish.com/node/11285 The Transport Minister announced that Bangkok’s public transport, including BTS Skytrain, MRT, and public buses, will be free from 25 – 31 January. 3 1
Horizondave Posted January 25 Author Posted January 25 On 1/25/2025 at 3:59 PM, Glasseye said: Stroke off job, to make people .... I think the idea is ok. Thais like anything free so if it gets people out of cars then it is a good thing. If I was a regular train commuter though, I might be a bit disappointed at all these other people crowding my space. Might be a good time to get the petrol guzzler out of the garage and drive around Bangkok. Lol 1 1 4
Lemondropkid Posted January 25 Posted January 25 It's an excellent idea. Good on them for trying to look at a variety of solutions. This is as the Government have said one of the short term measures they are going to try to use to see if it helps alleviate the problem. Along with encouraging/allowing WFH in Government Offices, ordering the stopping work on building sites on a short term basis, montoring traffic emmissoins amongst others. It's a trial and should be viewed as such, if it doesn't work they will drop it. Wednesday morning the air in Bangkok was a bad as I've ever encountered in Asia. Local PM reading were north of 200. What was noticable on Wednesday through to Friday was how few people were travelling on the BTS in the morning. So it would seem that some people have already decided to WFH. I'll be on the BTS every day for next 8 days or so will be interested to see how this plays out. 1 1 5
thegrogmonster Posted January 25 Posted January 25 Our transport authority introduced 50 cent fares for all public transport travel. It has been a great success. I think rail patronage is up 20%. You can notice less cars on the roads. I hope the keep it up but there has been a change of government recently so who knows if it will stay. https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares 3 3
Butch Posted January 25 Posted January 25 16 minutes ago, thegrogmonster said: Our transport authority introduced 50 cent fares for all public transport travel. It has been a great success. I think rail patronage is up 20%. You can notice less cars on the roads. I hope the keep it up but there has been a change of government recently so who knows if it will stay. https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/50-cent-fares In the UK they had a bus fare cap of £2, now £3. Last month I took a 16 mile journey for £2, Bus had Wifi, comfy seats, online updates displayed on screen as to the upcoming stops, and saved me £22 over the Cab fare. All they need now are heated bus stops. Best thing was, for a mid day bus, it was busy, so these policies definitely have a positive effect. 1 1 5
Yessongs Posted January 26 Posted January 26 Few pics from Wed night on the 32nd floor, Sofitel. These were taken about 5:30pm....alot worse downtown then in the burbs where we are.... Hoping for some improvement soon....just lucky we do not have "underlying issues" that would affect our lungs.... 3 3
forcebwithu Posted January 26 Posted January 26 Much better idea than some of the other hair brain ideas they've come up with. The latest being... DRY ICE IN THE SKY: BANGKOK’S BOLD NEW OPERATION FOR PM2.5 BATTLE The air pollution battle in Thailand’s capital has taken to the skies in an unprecedented operation, as aircraft release -70°C dry ice to punch through Bangkok’s pollution-trapping atmospheric layer. ... 1 1 3
Lirchenfeld Posted January 26 Posted January 26 On 1/25/2025 at 10:12 AM, Horizondave said: I think the idea is ok. Thais like anything free so if it gets people out of cars then it is a good thing. If I was a regular train commuter though, I might be a bit disappointed at all these other people crowding my space. Might be a good time to get the petrol guzzler out of the garage and drive around Bangkok. Lol Only one thing about it that bothers me.... It ends before I arrive. 1 2
Glasseye Posted January 26 Posted January 26 15 hours ago, KWA said: Next solution? Spot on. Nice of them to make the gesture but it ain't diddley. Perhaps it will get more people talking about the serious problem that is ongoing and getting worse each year. Eventually the negative economic consequences could be devastating.
KWA Posted January 27 Posted January 27 More actions being taken reported here: https://x.com/ThaiEnquirer/status/1883776924281151684 1 1 4
Lemondropkid Posted January 29 Posted January 29 Busiest morning so far on the BTS but Chinese New Year's day. South bound at Phaya Thai, loads of suitcase bearing punters left stranded on the platform. Very little chance of getting on with large luggage. The train as always cleared out at Siam, regular busy from there . Another day with ok air quality here. 4 2
Smiler Posted January 29 Posted January 29 31 minutes ago, Lemondropkid said: Busiest morning so far on the BTS but Chinese New Year's day. South bound at Phaya Thai, loads of suitcase bearing punters left stranded on the platform. Very little chance of getting on with large luggage. The train as always cleared out at Siam, regular busy from there . Another day with ok air quality here. I have been using the Airport Rail link to and from Swampy for 3 or 4 years now but I leave my large luggage at the airport (costs 100b). Swampy - Phaya Thai - Nana. Works well, its cheap and easy and I am guessing most times is quicker or at least as quick as a taxi. 2 1 1
Lemondropkid Posted January 29 Posted January 29 2 hours ago, Smiler said: I have been using the Airport Rail link to and from Swampy for 3 or 4 years now but I leave my large luggage at the airport (costs 100b). Swampy - Phaya Thai - Nana. Works well, its cheap and easy and I am guessing most times is quicker or at least as quick as a taxi. That makes sense. I'm out of touch with taxi times from the airport, as live in the wider Phaya Thai area. Out of interest, where is the left luggage facility?
Glasseye Posted January 29 Posted January 29 5 hours ago, Smiler said: I have been using the Airport Rail link to and from Swampy for 3 or 4 years now but I leave my large luggage at the airport (costs 100b). Swampy - Phaya Thai - Nana. Works well, its cheap and easy and I am guessing most times is quicker or at least as quick as a taxi. Yep... been doing that for at least six years now. Nothing else comes close for ease of access, punctuality, low cost and safety.
boydeste Posted January 29 Posted January 29 (edited) 6 hours ago, Smiler said: I have been using the Airport Rail link to and from Swampy for 3 or 4 years now but I leave my large luggage at the airport (costs 100b). Swampy - Phaya Thai - Nana. Works well, its cheap and easy and I am guessing most times is quicker or at least as quick as a taxi. I do that too, but take my luggage with me. So far it's never been a problem, but this recent travel for free is going to cause havoc for sure. How long does that 100b give you in storage? Edited January 29 by boydeste
Smiler Posted January 29 Posted January 29 4 hours ago, Lemondropkid said: That makes sense. I'm out of touch with taxi times from the airport, as live in the wider Phaya Thai area. Out of interest, where is the left luggage facility? There are 2 places as far as I know. The official (I think) Airport one is on level 3 (again, I think). I do know it was definitely shut during Covid because I tried to use it. The one I have been using since is just past the exchange places right on the lowest level where the trains go from. 1 hour ago, boydeste said: … How long does that 100b give you in storage? Not sure if it is priced on the size of case but my small one (oo er! 😉) which goes in the overhead lockers (if it’s light enough) on the plane, was 100b for 24 hours last week. TBH mate I seem to remember paying more previously although that may have been for my big one (oo er! 😉) and it could have been for long time 👀. Maybe even at the official place. 1 1 1
Lemondropkid Posted January 30 Posted January 30 16 hours ago, boydeste said: I do that too, but take my luggage with me. So far it's never been a problem, but this recent travel for free is going to cause havoc for sure. How long does that 100b give you in storage? Good luck 👍 Today was the busiest of the week, even starting my journey after 10. Last day of free travel tomorrow. 1 2
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