Blue Line (Bangkok)
The Blue Line is Bangkok's third rapid transit line, following the Sukhumvit line and Silom line of the BTS Skytrain. It is the first of the MRT system operated by Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited. The MRT Blue Line was opened on 3 July 2004. Current average daily ridership is 400,000.
The line is 48 km long, being a circle route of the Bangkok rapid transit network. It encircles and connects business, residential and cultural areas of Bangkok.
History
Origin
Officially named Chaloem Ratchamongkhon - "Celebration of Royal Auspice" - or informally but recognised by operator as the "Blue Line", this was the first metro line under the newly formed government agency, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand. Initially the line started running fully underground from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue. It was later extended to run from Tha Phra to Lak Song, mostly on elevated tracks.Most civil infrastructure was provided by this government agency and handed over to a private sector as an operator for a 25-year via concession agreement. The winning bidder was Bangkok Metro Company Limited, subsequently renamed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited. Under this agreement, BMCL/BEM must provide maintenance and engineering equipment, including electrical trains, signalling systems, SCADA, communication, platform screen doors and fully operate the system from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue. BMCL/BEM has subcontracted maintenance of the system for 10 years to Siemens and seven-year maintenance contracts to two local maintenance services.
Construction of the line from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue began on 19 November 1996. The project suffered multiple delays not only because of the 1997 economic crisis, but also due to challenging civil engineering works of constructing massive underground structures deep in the water-logged soil upon which the city is built.
The Blue Line was opened for a limited public trial period of several weeks starting on 13 April 2004. On 3 July 2004 the line was officially opened at 19:19 local time by HM King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit, who were accompanied by other members of the royal family. Within 30 minutes of its opening, sightseers filled the system to its maximum capacity, but after the initial rush ridership settled down to around 180,000 riders daily — considerably lower than projections of over 400,000, despite fares being slashed in half from 12-38 baht to 10-15 baht per trip.
Extension to Tao Poon
In line with Bangkok's rapid transit master plan the Blue Line has been extended, from Hua Lamphong to Lak Song and from Bang Sue to Tha Phra, forming a circle open-loop route. The contract for the first part of extension was signed on 26 August 2009 but was part of MRT Purple Line program. The Bang Sue - Tao Poon extension was opened on 11 August 2017. Adding 1.2 km and 1 elevated station, Tao Poon, to the Blue line.Blue Line extension program and concession amendment
The Blue Line extension program itself was initiated in 2008. It will be a 27 km extension to Tha Phra and Lak Song with 19 stations, four underground and 15 elevated stations. Under this scheme, contract for civil work will be divined into five contracts. Tender was held and win bidder was announced in late 2010. On 17 February 2011 all five contracts were signed.| Contract | Notes | Length |
| 1 | Hua Lamphong to Sanam Chai | 2.8 km |
| 2 | Sanam Chai to Tha Phra | 2.6 km |
| 3 | Tao Poon to Tha Phra | 11 km |
| 4 | Tha Phra to Lak Song | 10.5 km |
| 5 | Rolling stock and systems, Bt5.17 billion, contractor CK. |
Construction commenced in mid-2011 for a scheduled 2016 opening but was delayed to 2019-2020. In August, 2017, BEM awarded the automatic fare collection ticket for the extension to Thales which will install its TransCity system. The contract also includes ongoing training and future support. In September 2017, BEM announced that Siemens and ST Electronics Thailand were awarded the contract to supply, install and maintain the E&S systems systems, install station platform screen doors and fit out the depot. Siemens also will supply 35 sets of rolling stock.
In 2017, the cabinet approved the amendment of the Blue line concession with BEM, and the new agreement was signed on 31 March 2017. Under the new agreement, BEM will extend the service from Hua Lampong to Lak Song and Bang Sue to Tha Phra. The concession period was extended from 2029 to 2050.
The extension was opened in stages. The Hua Lamphong - Lak Song extension was opened on 29 July with full commercial service from 29 September 2019.
The Tao Poon - Tha Phra extension was opened on 29 November 2019 with full commercial service from 30 March 2020.
Route
The MRT Blue Line starts at the upper platform of Tha Phra station. It runs on an elevated viaduct northward along Charan Sanitwong Road to Bang O station. Then turit turnsning eastwards crossing Chao Phraya River, entering Bang Pho station and Tao Poon Station in Bang Sue District. The line then descends to an underground section. It follows the Kamphaeng Phet, Phahon Yothin and Lat Phrao Roads, then turns south following Ratchadaphisek Road to QNSCC station. It then turns west following Rama IV Road. It passes Hua Lamphong station in Pathum Wan District, through Chinatown, then under the Chao Praya river before ascending onto an elevated viaduct to the lower platform of Tha Phra station. The line continues west along Phetkasem road to Lak Song station in Bang Khae, situated near Kanchanaphisek Road or Western Outer Ring road. It forms a circle loop around Bangkok.Stations
Rolling stock
Line is service by 54 three-car trains. Of which, 19 are first generation train and 35 are second generation. All trains are provided by Siemens. Trains are powered by 750v DC via third rail system, are air-conditioned and capable of traveling at up to 80 km/h.First Generation
19 three-car Siemens Modular Metro were ordered for the initial part of the line. Trains entering service on 3 July 2004. In 2017, BEM starts removing some seats from the train to increase interior space to cope with rising number of passengers. In 2019, the BEM stated that it is interested in refurbishing the first generation trains. Including the CCTV cameras, and new dynamic route map replacing the traditional ones.Second Generation
In 2017, BEM ordered 35 three-car Siemens Inspiro as part of the line extension program. Under the contract, Siemens were to supply 35 trains and provide maintenance for ten years with a price tag of 20 billion baht. The fleet will be built in the Siemens plant in Vienna. First train arrived in 2019 with all trains expected to be delivered by early 2020.Operation
Blue line runs from Tha Phra to Lak Song via Bang Sue, Phra Ram 9 and Hua Lamphong, serving 38 stations. Line operated everyday from 6am to midnight with headway of under 7 minutes during rush hour and under 7 minutes during non-rush hour.All stations on the line are equipped with platform screen doors. Stations are build to accommodate six-car trains, but only three-car trains were used. Uniformed security personnel and security cameras are present at every platform. Passenger announcements on this line are made by journalist and news broadcaster Sarocha Pornudomsak.
The metro have 2 depots one in Huai Khwang district, which is located between Phra Ram 9 and Thailand Cultural Centre station. And another in Chom Thong district, near Phetkasem 48 station.
Ridership
After opening in 2004, initial ridership was 180,000 per day — considerably lower than the projections of over 400,000. By 2016, the average daily ridership was 273,637. By September 2017, BEM stated that average daily ridership had increased to 360,000 after the opening of the extension to Tao Poon.After the opening of the extension to Lak Song on 29 September 2019, average daily ridership increased to 400,000.
Major accident record
On 17 January 2005, just after 09:15, an empty train returning to the depot collided with a peak-hour train filled with passengers at the Thailand Cultural Centre station. Around 100-262 people, depending on the news source, were injured. Most of whom sustained only minor injuries, and the entire Metro network was shut down for two weeks. On 31 January 2005 then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ride the metro to increase public confident in the system.After initial investigations, it was found that the empty train had run into problems shortly before the accident, grinding to a halt on a curve leading to the depot. The driver applied its brake and was waiting to be towed to the depot close to Thailand Cultural Centre station.
A rescue train was attempting to connect to the stalled train when the driver was told to release the brake while coupling had not yet been successful. It was then that the empty train began to roll backwards at a speed of ten meters per second, before smashing into the other train, which was carrying passengers. Therefore, it was believed that the incident was caused by negligence due to insufficient training of operation staff. This accident also resulted in two damaged trains with heavily damaged areas limited to the two leading cars. The colliding speed was suspected to be about 60 km/h due to the appearance of damaged areas. However, one train, which was rebuilt from the repair of the minor-damaged cars, was already fitted for operation at the end of 2006 and the remaining one was still under heavy repair until mid of 2007; it was released into service in October 2007. The cost resulting from the accident might be a much higher figure than BMCL quoted, and it was expected to be at least 400 million baht, which was totally insured by a local insurance company.
The Metro resumed full operations on 1 February 2005, and passenger numbers soon rose back to pre-crash levels, partly due to a temporary promotional fare scheme which allowed passengers to travel any distance on the MRT for only ten baht.