The operator of the MRT Blue Line must suspend further removal of train seats pending approval of the plan, said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) yesterday.
The operator was also warned that it should have given two to three weeks notice prior to its decision to axe a number of seats from one of its carriages on Monday.
The Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM), operator of the MRT Blue Line and Purple Line under concession from the MRTA, removed 14 seats from one of its carriages on Monday in a bid to lower passenger congestion during rush hours.
However, MRT acting governor Rithika Suparat said yesterday the Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) will not be allowed to remove any more seats from its remaining 18 carriages without first submitting a formal request to the MRTA.
Mr Rithika, who earlier denied the MRTA had any involvement in BEM's move, said after a meeting with the company yesterday that the MRTA should have received warning prior to any alterations of existing procedures or infrastructure.
According to him, the MRTA will not require the BEM to restore the seats that have already been removed. However, he urged the BEM to quickly submit its proposal for the changes to its service.
The change drew a mixed reaction among passengers, with many complaining the change shifts the burden of easing congestion on to passengers, by making them stand, when the BEM should invest more in rolling stock.
Mr Rithika said that initially, the proposal should specify that the project will be implemented for one month, adding that seats must be removed from only two or three more carriages as part of a trial process. He added the plans should have been announced two to three weeks in advance.
One source said removing the seats from all of a train's carriages will increase passenger capacity to about 900 passengers per trip, while the current trains with seats can only serve around 700-800 passengers per journey.
Meanwhile, secretary-general of the Association to Protect the Thai Constitution, Srisuwan Janya, has threatened to take legal action against the MRT Blue Line's operator if it does not restore all the seats it removed.
Mr Srisuwan said yesterday the MRTA and the BEM should have pushed for procurement projects for new carriages to ease passenger congestion instead.
