Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Ltd. marked the arrival of the first 4 new BTS Rail Cars, from a total order of 35, at Terminal A5, Laem Chabang Port, Sriracha, Chonburi province. The ceremony was hosted by Mr. Keeree Kanjanapas, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of BTSC, with honored guest M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, Governor of Bangkok, invited to chair proceedings. Other honored guests included Mr. Anthony Chay, Chief Executive Officer of Siemens (Thailand ) Limited, Dr. Teerachon Manomaiphibul, Deputy Governor of Bangkok, Executive Management representatives from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration ( BMA ), Krungthep Thanakhom Co.,Ltd., the Board of Investment of Thailand, Executive Management of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited and members of the Press.

Mr. Keeree Kanjanapas informed guests that BTSC had signed a contract with Siemens for the purchase of the 35 additional rail cars on 23rd September 2010, at a total value of Baht 2,100 million. The 35 new rail cars, manufactured at Siemens’ Munich plant in the Federal Republic of Germany, will be combined with the existing fleet of 3-Car trains to form 4-Car trains. This first batch of 4 rail cars was shipped from Bremerhaven on 26th July 2012 and arrived at Laem Chabang Port on 27th August 2012. Subsequent batches will be shipped by Siemens progressively until July 2013.

The interior design of the new rail cars has been improved to further enhance passenger comfort and convenience, equipped with new 'Trifurcated' 3-way type stanchions installed in doorway areas and neutral colour handstraps to provide a more contemporary appearance and improve maintainability. Additional space has been allocated for wheelchair users, equipped with retractable safety belts and handrails to assist disabled passengers. Additional LED downlighters have been provided in gangway areas of both new and existing cars, to create a brighter overall ambiance and improve safety.

With regard to the engineering design of the electrical and mechanical system, an additional auxiliary power supply converter has been installed, with further improvements made to the efficiency of systems using latest technology for bogies, brakes (EP 2002), air conditioning and passenger door controls. Some remaining interior components such as the air conditioning system, seats and handrails, will be installed at the BTS Mo Chit Depot.

Once the safety and reliability of all systems has been fully assured, the newly commissioned 4-Car trains will be progressively introduced into passenger service, starting in early October or November 2012.

By 2013, the BTS fleet will consist of 47 sets of 4-Car trains totaling 188 train cars, able to support the increasing patronage on the system, including the 5.25 km Sukhumvit Line Extension from On Nut to Bearing, which was officially opened for passenger service in early 2012. The addition of new train cars increases passenger handling capacity by more than 30,000 people per hour per direction, representing a 30 percent increase. This will improve service efficiency and reduce numbers of passengers waiting at platforms. In addition, the Company has purchased a further 5 new 4-Car trains totaling 20 rail cars, from the Peoples Republic of China, to accommodate services on the Silom Line Extension from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa running 5.3 kms. After completion, the BTS SkyTrain lines will run a total distance of 36.25 kms, consisting of 34 stations, served by a fleet of 52 4-Car trains totaling 208 rail cars.

BTSC continues to place great emphasis on the safety of passengers using the BTS system, undertaking regular reviews and implementing enhancements of station facilities. In this respect, consistent with international design standards, to improve passenger safety during peak periods, the Company will install Half-Height Platform Screen Doors (HHPSD) at the platforms of peak stations. To properly assess impacts and requirements, in March 2012 temporary prototype units of the proposed HHPSD design were installed at the upper platform of Siam Station.

Having thoroughly demonstrated the positive impacts and general acceptance of the proposed design, the Company has decided to proceed with the first phase installation of HHPSDs at six peak stations: Siam, Asok, On Nut, Sala Daeng, Phaya Thai, and Victory Monument, at a cost of 600 million baht. This 12 month project is planned to start in September 2012, with a second phase installation of HHPSDs to follow shortly after at Chit Lom, Phrom Phong, and Chong Nonsi Stations.

The 1500mm high HHPSD units are made of high performance powder coated aluminum, with tempered laminated safety glass balustrade panels. Each set of HHPSD consists of automatically activated bi-parting sliding doors, fixed drive units with integrated LCD passenger display monitors, emergency exit doors and glass balustrade panels, installed along the length of each platform. Doors are configured for 3-Car, and eventually 6-Car train operations.

Being designed to provide maximum safety, the opening and closing of the HHPSDs will be fully interfaced with the train control and signaling system, synchronizing opening and closing with train doors.

In conclusion, Mr. Keeree Kanjanapas said that the Company would like to express it's sincere gratitude to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Krungthep Thanakom Company Ltd., government and private sectors, business partners, Bangkok citizens and all BTS passengers, for their support and continued confidence since the first day of service in 1999, when we had only 35 trains totaling 105 train cars. Today, after nearly 13 years of successful operation, the BTS SkyTrain system runs a distance of 30.95 kilometers, consisting of 30 stations, serviced by 47 trains totaling 188 train cars. In accordance with the management plans for the opening of the Silom Line Extension from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa, BTSC has already placed a purchase order for additional trains and other facilities to enhance passenger convenience, including installation of Half-Height Platform Screen Doors at more platforms, additional escalators, elevators and walkway bridges, etc. This further demonstrates BTSC continuing efforts and commitment to effectively developing mass transit systems and providing services to international standards.