The Metropolitan Rapid Transit's (MRT) Yellow Line had another hiccup yesterday at Lat Phrao station. The monorail had only just resumed service after a Thursday incident where some parts fell from the track. It is now operating but with limited services.
Yesterday, a track switch on the Yellow Line system malfunctioned, causing a power outage at Hua Mak Station.
As a result, services from Hua Mak Station to Si Iam Station were suspended, leaving only two sections -- from Lat Phrao to Si Kritha and from Si Iam to Samrong -- operating. That means passengers travelling from Lat Phrao to Samrong (in either direction) must change trains three times.
The Eastern Bangkok Monorail Co Ltd (EBM), the Yellow Line operator, said it has coordinated with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to have 10 to 15 additional buses put into service to facilitate commuters along its route during the morning and evening rush hours.
A shuttle service was offered by EBM as a substitute transfer for the Lat Phrao-Lat Phrao 83-Hua Mak section and the Hua Mak-Si Iam section.
The monorail system's first mishap occurred on Jan 2 when a wheel fell off and struck a taxi travelling on the road below.
That led to the replacement of three ball bearings on each wheel of all Yellow Line trains to ensure public safety.
Another mishap happened on Thursday when loose metal parts fell off the rail and damaged at least 12 vehicles -- nine cars and three motorcycles. No injuries were reported.
According to EBM, the company is working with an insurance firm to compensate the affected vehicle owners.
An initial investigation found that a finger plate installed on the rail's expansion joint had slipped from its position as the train passed, causing the plate and other debris to fall.
The missing metal parts disrupted the electrical systems of the rail between Kalantan and Si Udom stations, causing services to be suspended from 9am.
The service resumed yesterday with adjustments made to the timetable to facilitate technicians in replacing the affected rail and equipment.
The EBM is now offering passengers a 20% fare discount along the route until services return to normal. It has advised commuters to allow extra time for their trips due to the expected delays.
Meanwhile, Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Foundation for Consumers, suggested that the construction of new structural systems should be supervised by a central institution for engineering, adding that there should be central funds to compensate those affected by such incidents.