WONGWIAN YAI – A surge of passengers rode the extended BTS Skytrain route over the Chao Phraya River during the first two weeks following the opening of the new Wongwian Yai station, according to figures released by the Bangkok Transit System today. The extensions, the first since the system opened in 2001, have attracted great interest from both the press and the public.
BTSC data show that over 800,000 people have already taken the new route, passing Krung Thonburi station to the new terminal. Once in Thonburi, they emerge from the train cars, mill about the ticketing level looking at traffic below, and then re-board the inbound train back toward downtown.
“We’re obviously very excited about the new stations,” said Akom Baramachai, an administrative officer for BTSC. “Now thousands of people can cross the river easily and efficiently, and gaze at a new stretch of roadway.”
The extension is expected to relieve the congestion on Saphan Taksin bridge by as much as 3% by 2012, by transporting people who would otherwise have to drive to such major Bangkok attractions such as the Thonburi Isuzu dealership, Imperial Garden Mansion Serviced Apartments, and the Sino-Thai Import Company PLC headquarters.
Local businesses along the stretch of Krung Thonburi Road have yet to report significant growth in customer traffic, but many business owners remain optimistic. “I saw some people taking photos of our street from the platform last week,” reported Mitrichai Puvongween, who runs a small restaurant close to the station. “Maybe later they will come back to eat something.” When asked if he himself took the BTS to work, he said he preferred to drive because it was more convenient.
