City-airport trains resume normal timetable

Two days of safety checks completed on Airport Rail Link

Trains on the Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi Airport Rail Link resumed their normal schedule, running every 10 minutes on Wednesday evening, after the operator said safety checks that had previously forced delays were completed.

Train frequency on the line was adjusted to every 15 minutes on Monday and Tuesday, and to 12 minutes for part of Wednesday, because some trains had to be temporarily withdrawn for in-depth inspections as a safety precaution, said Sarit Jinsit, president of the line’s operator, Asia Era One.

Siemens, which is responsible for inspecting trains, requested additional checks of train wheel conditions and wear to thoroughly verify the safety and operational readiness of the fleet, Mr Sarit said.

Following the completion of the inspections and confirmation that all required standards had been met, the trains were returned to service as planned, allowing the operator to resume the regular timetable.

The service between central Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport begins at 5.30am, with the last train departing at midnight in both directions.

The operating contract of Asia Era One, a consortium led by the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, expires on Sept 30 and the company has confirmed it will not seek a renewal.

However, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is seeking a temporary extension of the contract to ensure the smooth transfer of operations to its subsidiary, SRT Electrified Train Co, which already runs the Red Line commuter rail service.

Asia Era One has reportedly agreed to consider the proposal, including the conditions that would apply if it agreed to continue operating the service.