BANGKOK, Dec 24 – The BTS Skytrain operator today said the five-hour service service stoppage was caused by a technical glitch in the installation of new automatic doors and out protective fencing at stations for passenger safety.
Keeree Kanchanapas, Executive Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Pcl (BTSC), BTS Skytrain operator, said initial investigation found that the failure was connected with the commissioning test of recently completed installation of new Platform Screen Doors.
However, the devices did not work well with software system, leading to a failure in the computerised traffic control system.
BTS staff restored the system and resumed service at 11am today, with some minor technical glitches seen between On Nut and Chidlom stations.
Surapong Laoha-Anya, BTSC Chief Operating Officer, said the service was suspended for five hours, affecting 200,000 commuters with damage cost of around Bt5 million.
He said the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has also inquired the company about the incident.
Thomas Godfrey, regional engineering director of Bombadier, the BTSC resignalling contractor, said the installation is complete for the Silom route, while testing is being conducted on the Sukhumvit route. A technical glitch was detected at Prompong Station, leading to the failure of the entire system.
He said the BTSC asked the company to delay the use of the outer screen doors until the failed software has been fully restored.
Thailand’s BTS has capacity of carrying up to 50,000 passengers for each route per hour. At the present, about 20,000 commuters board the Skytrain for each route per hour.
BTSC currently owns 52 trains, each consisting of four compartments, running every three minutes.
