Photo credit: Pink line operator
Following an incident where crew members on the Pink Line monorail in Bangkok opened a malfunctioning carriage door without proper protocol, the Transport Minister has directed disciplinary measures against the operator involved.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit mandated the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) to take action against the Northern Bangkok Monorail Co (NBM), responsible for operating the Pink Line connecting Khae Rai in Nonthaburi to Min Buri in northern Bangkok.
The incident occurred last Thursday when crew members opened a carriage door while the monorail was stationary between stations, surprising passengers with an unexpected view of the ground below.
Emphasizing the significance of safety in public transportation, Minister Suriya underscored the non-negotiable nature of such incidents.
Acting MRTA Governor Vithaya Punmongkol highlighted that the operator was notified of the MRTA’s authority to implement disciplinary actions due to the risk posed to passengers during the incident.
NBM clarified that the mishap occurred after train number 10 departed Lat Pla Khao station for Nonthaburi at 7:01 am on Thursday. Crew members halted the train upon hearing an unusual sound, which was later revealed to be a passenger’s bag obstructing the carriage door from closing properly.
Following directives from Pink Line control, staff tried to manually open the door with a key, but were unsuccessful. Ultimately, they were instructed to deactivate the automatic control system, take manual control of the train to return to the station, open the door to remove the bag, and resume normal operations.
However, an oversight led to the premature opening of the door before reaching the station after deactivating the automatic system. Prompt corrective measures were subsequently issued by the controller to ensure safety protocols were followed before the train continued its service.
