Ferry operator gets sinking feeling after passengers desert for free ride across river on the Skytrain extension

The newly opened BTS extension across the Chao Phya River is benefiting thousands of Bangkok commuters, but not a cross-river ferry operator near the BTS route.

"Our passenger numbers have plunged by up to 70 per cent since the BTS extension opened on May 15," Apisak Supapon of ferry operators Subthananakorn told Daily Xpress.

"We used to serve 20,000 passengers per day, but that's now down to 7,000-8,000," Apisak said.

The ferry transports passengers between the Sathorn pier and the Taksin pier (better known as the Pepsi pier) on the Thon Buri side for a cost of Bt3 per trip.

During rush hour ferries used to leave every three minutes, but now we have to wait twice as long to get enough passengers, he added.

"Before mid-May, I had to rope off Sathorn pier pontoon to prevent overcrowding by people waiting to get onto the ferry," said a safety official. "Now that the crowds have gone, so has the rope."

One route sunk

The cross-river service had been subsidising two other ferry routes -- Dao Khanong pier to Sathorn and Phetkasem pier to Sathorn - which have been operating at a loss for two years.

"The drop in income has forced me to stop the Dao Khanong-Sathorn service from June 8," Apisak said.

To protect the jobs of his 40 employees, Apisak has told them to save money by turning off unnecessary lights, reusing spare parts and bringing their own lunches. Safety will not be compromised, he said.

The operator hopes to see thousands of passengers switch back to the ferry when the BTS starts collecting fares in mid-August.

Business is suddenly quiet for Pepsi pier motorcycle taxis too.

"Ten have already quit," said a motorcycle taxi rider, though he added that he still picks up passengers who live close to the pier.

A student explained that the Pepsi pier was closer to her flat than Krung Thonburi Skytrain station, so she preferred to travel by ferry.

"A few of my friends live in Thon Buri's Wong Wian Yai area, and they have switched to using the Skytrain because it's more convenient," the student said.

However, the ferry also has its die-hard fans. Jutamas Theansuwan, 23, said she's tried the BTS extension but found she still prefers getting to work by river, even if it takes a few minutes longer.