Linking waterways with rail systems could ease traffic woes

Linking waterways with rail systems could ease traffic woes

A team of academics is exploring the potential of Bangkok's canals

Connecting boats with rail systems will make Bangkok's public transport network more efficient. Wichan Charoenkiat­pakul
Connecting boats with rail systems will make Bangkok's public transport network more efficient. Wichan Charoenkiat­pakul

About seven years ago, Yanyong Boon-Long tried to travel across Bangkok, from east to west, to meet his friends: he ended up stuck in traffic and was two hours late for dinner.

"It took me hours to get to the restaurant by taxi. A friend suggested I take the BTS and board a boat at Khlong Saen Saep next time," recalled Mr Yanyong, who lived in the United States for almost 20 years before moving to Bangkok.

The experience made him realise that a more efficient public transport network would help ease the lives of millions of Bangkok commuters fed up with slow and unreliable public services.

Often overlooked, boats are a great way to travel around the city. But too often, city commuters choose to travel by car or taxi, and this is a major cause of traffic congestion.

To find a solution to urban congestion, Mr Yanyong, who is a member of the American Institute of Architects, urged the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to make the most of canals to encourage city commuters to opt for passenger boat services.

He called on authorities to start new boat routes and improve existing services so they are linked to the rail system. Such connections would draw the attention of commuters, he said.

"City water transport can be the easiest and cheapest way to avoid road traffic congestion. The city has many canals which offer numerous passenger routes. When the water and rail transport is connected, it would be an alternative choice for commuters," Mr Yanyong said.

He cited the popularity of passenger boat services on Khlong Saen Saep, saying more than 60,000 passengers take boats there each day; the service has become more popular than the Purple Line's MRT subway.

To explore the connections between water and railways, a team of academics, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, have begun studying the possibilities of expanding water transport.

The team includes Assoc Prof Pawinee Iamtrakul from Thammasat University's Faculty of Architecture and Planning, who has expertise in railway design; and Asst Prof Jittat Fakcharoenphol from Kasetsart University's Department of Computer Engineering, a graph theorist and mathematician.

Mr Yanyong has also been studying boat routes that could be linked to electric train routes. (Story continues below)

The Metro-Canal Network connection shows linking boat and rail services will help make getting around Bangkok easier. Graphic courtesy of Yanyong Boon-Long.

He suggested linking the Khlong Phasi Charoen boat with the BTS skytrain; Chao Phraya Express boat with the MRT subway; Khlong Saen Saep boat with the skytrain, subway, and Airport Rail Link; and Khlong Phradung Krung Kasem boat with the subway.

Mr Yanyong said several canals in the city have the potential to be developed as passenger routes, such as the Khlong Prawet Burirom, Khlong Bang Sue, Khlong Samsean and Khlong Bangna.

The study also found links between Khlong Prawet Burirom and the Airport Rail Link.

Kotchaporn Klakkthongkham, who works for the Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion, supports Mr Yanyong's idea, and said if the project is possible, it would make local residents' lives easier.

The foundation is engaged in programmes that help create job opportunities and generate income for people in rural communities, including that of Kehachalongkrung in Nong Chok district.

The development of boat routes would be convenient for villagers in areas that are inaccessible by bus and the electric rail system, she noted.

A study conducted by the foundation in 2013 found residents were greatly hampered by poor public transport networks.

Around 10,000 respondents from more than 3,000 families were involved in the study.

According to respondents, buses were unreliable and often made them late for work.

The poor bus service has caused financial problems for residents, who have resorted to using other means, she noted.

"Some of them choose to buy their own cars. Many use taxi services, while others hire delivery trucks to get them around the city, rather than relying on public transport services," she said.

Residents have lodged a complaint with the Department of Land Transport and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, demanding an increase in the number of bus services. But no progress has been made, Ms Kotchaporn said.

Early this year, they decided to take matters into their own hands after a meeting attended by community residents and academics in which they agreed to open a boat route in Khlong Lamphra-ong.

The plan is to link the Kehachalongkrung Community with Nong Chok Market, she said. The route would not only take residents from their homes to the market and other local places, but also to the city centre via Lat Krabang station's Airport Rail Link, she added.

A portion of the community's budget will be spent on buying a 12-seater boat. A committee will be set up to operate the service.

"The service will be oriented to provide convenience to local commuters, not to make a profit," Ms Kotchaporn said, adding that a private company will not be allowed to operate the service.

As part of the plan, a fruit market will be set up along the route to entice tourists.

Activities will help generate money to be spent on service facilities and maintenance, she added. The locals are looking to submit their plan to the chief of the Nong Chok district office to drum up support, she said.

"Residents hope authorities will give them financial support to buy the boats, and to help pay for the construction of piers and improve the quality of water in the canal," she added.

Bangkok deputy governor Amorn Kitchawengkul insisted the BMA has been focusing on exploring boat services in the city.

An extension of the boat route in Khlong Saen Saep from Wat Sri Boonrueang to the Min Buri area was part of former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin's transportation improvement policy.

The launch of a boat service on Khlong Phasi Charoen connecting Bang Wa station to the MRT subway was also part of MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra's policy.

He also initiated the recently-launched boat service on Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem, serving as a transit to the MRT subway and Chao Phraya Express passenger boat service, he said.

The BMA also plans to open a new boat service on Khlong Lat Phrao, running between Don Mueang and Rama 9, stretching a total of 23km as it links the Pink Line and the Green Line.

"We usually consider opening a new boat route if it is needed by commuters. We will launch a test run of the route by inviting commuters to use it free of charge. The service will be scrapped if it is not popular among commuters," Mr Amorn said.

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