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The system operates a standard 5-minute headway throughout the day, which is reduced to 3
minutes during the morning and evening peak period. Services start at 06:00 and end at 24:00 hrs. Some 33 of the
35 trains are required for the peak service. All operations are controlled from a single control centre which has an
operations desk and an engineering desk. Operations can be viewed on a large projected wall screen, which is of good
quality resolution. Trains are operated under ATO. Trains are normally driven automatically
and, after stopping in the platforms, doors are opened automatically. An operator is provided on the train to close
the doors and make announcements. Announcements are not automatic. Trains can, and are, driven manually in service
but this seems to be the exception rather than the rule. Doubtless this will change when boredom sets in for the train
operators and when it is realised that some driving experience is required to keep up skill levels for emergency situations.
Platforms are provided with emergency buttons so that passengers can stop trains by operating
the button and thus dropping the ATP codes. Platforms are also provided with mirrors to assist train operators when
closing doors. Clocks are located on every platform and mezzanine and are consistently accurate. The ATO function is overlaid on the ATP system which operates through coded track circuits. The signalling
is controlled through five interlocking areas which supervise train running and detection with 285 jointless track circuits.
ATO is controlled by transposed loops in station approach and platform areas. Stopping accuracy appears to be in the
range ± 150 mm. Lineside signals are provided at switches and these show red or white indications only. Crossovers
are provided at Siam to give access between the depot at Mor Chit on the Sukumvit Line and the Silom Line. There are
emergency reversing crossovers on each of the three main branches and a reversing siding at Asok (pronounced Ah-So). Dwell times are standardised at 25 seconds for all stations except Siam. At most stations, the
25 seconds is much more than is required for boarding and alighting. At Siam, cross platform interchange is provided
and trains are timed to connect. Dwells at Siam are usually 60 seconds. The administration
offices, depot and control centre are located at Mor Chit. The depot site was constrained in various ways and access
is only by reversing all trains through the headshunt at the northern end of Mor Chit station. The depot has only one
entrance. The site also requires that trains can only pass through the automatic washing machine by reversing twice.
There is some evidence of a growing intermodal traffic. Passengers go to the northern
terminus at Mor Chit where there is interchange with buses for destinations further north. It is strange to me that
the line did not continue north two more kilometres to the "Central" shopping mall and Bangkok convention centre area.
However, taxis are now always available at the station exits on both sides of the street.
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