simpsonc510

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/loca...removal-begins


I hope this link works. I just found this on a TA thread. Looks like the BTS will NOT be so handy to Sathorn Pier for those of you who like to stay along the river.

I hope hanuman and/or michaelbkk can shed some light on this.

Kathie

"The BMA will build a moving walkway, or "walkalator", to carry commuters from Saphan Taksin station to Surasak station 700 metres away once the station has been dismantled."

It will be interesting to see how much impact this has for us. It sounds like it will still work well for those of us along the river.

simpsonc510

I'd prefer to hop on the BTS at the river, and not have to take the 'walkalator' for 700 meters. In that BKK heat, it would not be my favorite way to spend some time. I frankly think they've made a very poor decision in closing Saphan Taksin station.

FromDC

Would love to get more info about this since we'll be there in a couple of weeks and planning to use the station from the MO.

simpsonc510

Sounds like the station is already closed??? I agree with making the double track to cross the river. This is certainly needed, as trains must sit and wait to go across the one existing track.

The walkalator will most probably not be ready for a while IMO.

rhkkmk

i suspect the new open walkway will have outdoor a/c...

Craig

Has a tentative schedule been announced for the dismantling of the station and the completion of the moving walkway? We had planned to stay at the Shangri La for one night in early November because of its easy access to the BTS.

The walkway will be almost 1/2 mile long - I'm not crazy about the idea either...

Hanuman

Only about 3 - 4,000 people use that station on an average day so not justifying the expenses. The station has been dismantled already and there will be a walkway built but not a moving walkway. You guys will just have to literally walk.

Craig

Thanks, Pook. This is going to make the riverside hotels, especially the Penn, a lot less attractive IMO. However, the low ridership reasoning is quite logical...

BillT

I'm now looking at the Marriott Courtyard. The article said it will cost 600 million Baht for the walkway - seems like a lot of money for a walkway that does not move so I'm thinking that it will be moving - but... its a show stopper for us and yes I agree with Craig - the river hotels are going to take a hit due to this.

Hanuman

There's a station on the same side as the Penn and I would say a 5 minutes tuk tuk or taxi ride away.

FromDC

wonder if the MO will have some kind of shuttle service

Kathie

I'm sure the river hotels will offer shuttle service to the closest BTS station.

BillT

I'm wondering if the river hotels will eliminate their boat service and come up with shuttle service to the skytrain instead.

simpsonc510

That river hotel shuttle service, if provided, will be sitting in traffic. Not a very smart move.... even though cost effective for low ridership. Yes, the river hotels will certainly take a hit.

Craig

I agree, Carol. Although its shuttle boat service is the best on the river, it is still a "process" getting anywhere via the BTS quickly from the Penn...

simpsonc510

Yep, and it's an especially cumbersome process with packages from shopping sprees at MBK and Platinum Fashion Mall!! lol

hanuman, the article specifically refers to a 'walkalator' which is part walk- and part escalator (or people mover). I read into it something that moves people who are walking. What are you reading that I'm not seeing?

I still will continue to say 'in the city' and visit the river area when/if necessary.

Smeagol

Oh no, I hope they keep the boats as the shuttle to the sky train ( new station) I LOVE doing that. Gutted this station has closed.

Smeagol

So if we want to go to say the Sky Bar does that mean we will have to get off at Surasak? That will be a bit of a pain!

simpsonc510

Would it not be easier to take that boat the Taksin pier and then walk to sky bar from there?