BANGKOK, May 7 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's skytrain commuters were strongly advised on Thursday to avoid rush hours and observe the social distancing rule on board as well as at stations.
Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) Executive Director Surapong Laoha-unya said all BTS commuters should avoid the morning and afternoon rush hours on weekdays so that they could practically stay about 2 meters apart from one another under social distancing order against possible COVID-19 infection.
The number of passengers on board each BTS skytrain is currently reduced to one-fourth of its normal capacity under the social distancing rule, thus forcing many to stand in long lines waiting at the stations, particularly during rush hours, according to the executive director of the firm whose fleet of 98 skytrains is operated daily.
However, Surapong admitted the rail commuters might probably break the social distancing rule at busy stations such as Siam station, which is a major interchange station, during rush hours.
BTS officials check up the temperature of all incoming passengers and see to it that they wear face masks and wash their hands with sanitizer gel provided for free at the stations, he said.
On Tuesday, the rail switching mechanism between National Stadium station and Siam station in Pathumwan district reportedly malfunctioned for three hours, forcing many passengers to stand very close to one another in long queues and apparently compromise the social distancing order at Siam station where the skytrains arrived 10 to 15 minutes late. Enditem
