BTS skytrain operator to explain frequent malfunction to Transport Ministry

BANGKOK, June 25 (TNA) – The Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith will call BTS skytrain executives to clarify the problem of frequent malfunction of the electric railway, which caused several disruptions and affected commuters this month. The latest incident occurred on Monday morning, causing more than 10 minute delay of each trip of the electric trains. A large number of passengers were stranded at the stations. The Transport Minister said he would ask the BTS executives about the cause of the problems and would tell them to ensure maintenance work done properly to avoid impacts on commuters during the rush hours in the future. Meanwhile, Dr Anat Arbhabhirama, member of Advisory Board of the BTS said the company focuses on timeliness to limit a maximum travel delay of five minutes rather than the number of service disruption. According to the monthly statistics, he said the BTS train operation achieves the standard at 99.5 per cent. The cause of today’s delay is the signal system due to interfering radio signal. As a result, the operation system was switched to manual system for safety reasons. He confirmed that the safety standard was given highest priority and the BTS kept passengers informed of the delay via Twitter with 2 million followers, so they could make decisions on their travelling. The BTS reported in the past, disruptions happened on different causes such as pressing emergency buttons by passengers. This morning, the system breakdown was related to the signal system. The company is currentlyadjusting the signal system to make it more stable in order to serve the opening of the Green Line’s southern extension from Bearing to Samut Prakan at the end of this year. However, according to the surveyed records, today’s disruption is at least the seventh time in one month. (TNA)