Maintenance failure blamed for airport train breakdown

A major maintenance programme is needed as the rail system’s trains have travelled more than 1.5 million kilometres, said former deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Rajapolsit.
However, Samart, who previously supervised the city’s mass transit system, said the Airport Rail Link, operated by a unit of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), had not done needed major repair work, even though the five-year-old rail system has exceeded its 1.5-million-kilometre mark.
Samart said the Airport Rail Link needed major maintenance work after trains clocked up more than 1 million kilometres and there should be proper repairs for passenger trains, rolling stock, electrical power supply and other critical systems.
Unlike the BTS system, which uses a third rail to supply electrical power, the Airport Rail Link is powered by an overhead electrical system, he said, adding that there had only been minor repairs performed, not a major overall maintenance programme. This had caused frequent operating problems.
The train stopped on its way to Ramkhamhaeng Station on the line from Suvarnabhumi Airport to Phya Thai at 7.50am, leaving 745 passengers stranded for more than an hour.
A blackout in the Ramkhamhaeng area cut power to the train and left a reserve power generating system at Ramkhamhaeng inoperable. This brought the train to a halt.
Transport Minister Akom Termpitayapaisit said he had received a report from Airport Link officials saying the breakdown was caused by a power system malfunction. It was not a rail-related problem. He called a meeting with SRT officials next Tuesday to discuss the matter.
He said the ministry had instructed state agencies under its supervision such as the Mass Rapid Authority of Thailand, the Airport Rail Link and airports, plus the private operator of the BTS Skytrain, to submit contingency plans in case of future rail disruptions within 30 days.
Akom said authorities may redesign the trains’ ventilation system to improve the flow of the air.
In the initial stages, four express trains will run on the city line, bringing the total number of trains to nine to service passengers during rush hour.
Deputy Transport Minister Omsin Chivapruek said the SRT board would consider a proposal on March 29 to purchase a new emergency power system, worth around Bt34 million, for all eight stations on the Airport Rail Link.
Yesterday’s incident led to six people being injured after hundreds of passengers were stranded in the locked train. They later managed to get out via the emergency exits.
The breakdown cut the air-conditioning and left a lack of fresh air inside, prompting passengers to force open the doors and walk along the tracks. Passengers complained about the lack of proper evacuation procedures and the lack of a public address system.