The MRT Blue Line removed 14 seats from one of its service trains on Monday. However, the move received mixed reactions from passengers and observers on social media.
The Blue Line is currently run by Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM). According to an official statement, the seats were removed to accommodate more people. BEM currently uses 19 carriages on the route, with plans to add 16 more by 2019.
The Bangkok Post conducted an informal survey of passengers on a Blue Line commuter train shortly after BEM had taken out the seats. The 14 seats had been removed from its middle carriage, seven from each side.
Witthaya Luanghirun, a 33-year-old private company employee, said that BEM's move could help to ease congestion on the line.
"By doing this, BEM is able to serve more passengers," he said. "There are more benefits than drawbacks. But they could have informed passengers one or two days in advance.
"Priority seats for the disabled and elderly are still available," he said. "In my experience, very few disabled individuals actually use the trains."
However, Facebook user Som Prachyawan disagreed with BEM's move, saying extra carriages would be better.
"What an inconsiderate idea. Instead of adding more carriages during rush hour, they have shifted the burden onto the passengers by making them stand," she said.
Siwat Summa, another observer, said the BEM had removed the seats to "benefit themselves".
"How does this solve the congestion problem during rush hour if the frequency of trains is still the same?" he asked. "They should admit they are just doing it for their personal gain."
