TCC joined a hearing on studies and design of Bangkok-Chiang Mai high-speed train

TCC joined a hearing on studies and design of Bangkok-Chiang Mai high-speed train

On January 24, 2013, a hearing was convened on the Studies and Design of Bangkok – Chiang Mai High-Speed Train, Stage I Bangkok – Phitdsanuloke, at Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok. It was participated by about 300 people. Thailand Cycling Club (TCC) was also invited and represented by Mr. Gawin Chutima.

The hearing participants were informed background and some details about the project which was noted that it was too much focused on engineering aspects with too little information about its potential environmental and social impacts. These two latter issues were then very much raised by concerned participants during the question time.

The TCC representative presented both verbal and written views and recommendations in the hearing. He traced back to Rio+20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012 of which concluded that to achieve environment-friendly sustainable development, there must be sustainable transport comprising of rail systems for intercity travel and non-motorized transport system (NMT) for travel in a city. These two systems should be well connected. A Feeder System that provides access to rail stations should be designed and constructed along with the rail system, in this case a high-speed one, from the beginning, so that it could be ready for use at the same time as the rail system.  Promoting such feeder system is also a part of a resolution on “System and Infrastructure for Promotion of Walking and Cycling in Daily Life” by the 5^th National Health Assembly on December 19, 2012, of which Office of Transport Policy and Planning that involved in pushing and planning high-speed train system also took part in drafting process. The resolution would be submitted to the government cabinet soon for consideration and implementation by relevant government agencies.

The TCC representative gave some guidelines for designing the high-speed train system that there should be safe and ample bicycle parking facilities together lockers at all train stations. Appropriate fees could be charged on bicycle users for the services. Train passenger coach should be designed to store bicycle without charge at one end similar to luggage and wheelchairs. A good design can have several bicycles stored in a limited space.  This service may start with a trial on one passenger coach per train. Infrastructure of train stations, on the other hand, should be that of universal design to give access to all, including people with visual and physical disability.

Last but not least, the TCC representative recommended that these guidelines should also be applied to other rail systems, both existing ones and those to be constructed in the future.

The Bangkok – Chiang Mai High-Speed Train would travel at 300 km. per hour over a distance of more than 700 km. with 12 stations. It is expected to be completed in late 2018 or early 2019.

Reported by Gawin Chutima

January, 2013

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