Blue Line (Bangkok)

Blue Line
Train arriving at Si Lom Station
Overview
Native name	สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority
Locale	Bangkok
Termini	Tao Poon Tha Phra
Stations	24
Service
Type	Heavy Rail
System	MRT
Operator(s)	Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited
Depot(s)	Phra Ram 9
History
Opened	3 July 2004
Technical
Line length	26.6 km (16.5 mi)
Number of tracks	2
Track gauge	1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Electrification	Third rail
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Route map Tha Phra  MRT  Charan 13 Fai Chai Bang Khun Non  MRT  Bang Yi Khan Sirindhorn Bang Phlat Bang O Chao Phraya River Bang Pho Tao Poon  MRT  Bang Sue Bang Sue Central  SRT   SRT   ARL  Kamphaeng Phet Chatuchak Park  BTS  Sukhumvit Line Phahon Yothin Lat Phrao  MRT  Ratchadaphisek Sutthisan Huai Khwang Thailand Cultural Centre  MRT  Rama 9 Depot Phra Ram 9 Airport Rail Link Light Red Line Phetchaburi  SRT   ARL  Sukhumvit  BTS  Sukhumvit Line Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Khlong Toei Lumphini Si Lom  BTS  Silom Line Sam Yan Hua Lamphong  SRT  Dark Red Line Wat Mangkon Sam Yot  MRT  Sanam Chai Chao Phraya River Itsaraphap Tha Phra  MRT  Bang Phai Silom Line Bang Wa  BTS  Phetkasem 48 Phetkasem Depot Phasi Charoen Bang Khae Lak Song Phutthamonthon Sai 2 Thawi Watthana Phutthamonthon Sai 3 Phutthamonthon Sai 4

The MRT Chaloem Ratchamongkhon line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) or MRT Blue line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายสีน้ำเงิน) is the first of Bangkok's MRT system and the city's third rapid transit line, following the Sukhumvit line and Silom line of the BTS Skytrain. Opened on 3 July 2004, it runs eastward from Tao Poon Station in Bang Sue District along Kamphaeng Phet, Phahon Yothin and Lat Phrao Roads, then turns south following Ratchadaphisek Road, then west following Rama IV Road to Hua Lamphong station in Pathum Wan District.

A much delayed 27 km extension to the Blue line finally began construction in mid-2011. It was originally due for completion in late 2016 but the floods of 2011 added one year to the schedule. The first section of the Blue Line extension from Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra will open on 12 August 2019. The next section from Tha Phra – Lak Song will then open in late September 2019. The full extension will open in March 2020. This will be over three years later than originally scheduled when construction started.

When completed the 48-km-long MRT Blue Line would form a quasi circle line for the Bangkok's metro rail system, encircling the core business and cultural areas of Bangkok and Thonburi and providing connections to all other major lines, including the SRT Red Lines and the Airport Rail Link.

History

For the Blue Line most civil infrastructure was provided by a new government agency, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), and handed over to a private-sector operator for a 25-year concession agreement. The winning bidder was Bangkok Metro Company Limited (BMCL), subsequently renamed Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (BEM). BMCL/BEM provide maintenance & engineering equipment, including electrical trains, signalling systems, SCADA, communication, platform screen doors and fully operates the system. BMCL/BEM has subcontracted maintenance of the system for 10 years to Siemens and seven-year maintenance contracts to two local maintenance services.

The construction of the first Bangkok Metro line, officially known as Chaloem Ratchamongkhon (Thai สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) – "Celebration of Royal Auspice" – or informally as the "Blue Line", 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. 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.

Operation

Inside a Blue Line train, Siemens Modular Metro.

Faregates in a Blue Line station.

The platform of Phetchaburi MRT Station.

The exit level of Kamphaeng Phet MRT Station.

The 21-kilometre, 19-station Blue line presently runs from Tao Poon to Hua Lamphong via Phra Ram 9 and has a carrying capacity of 40,000 people in each direction per hour. Similar to the Skytrain, the Metro uses trains supplied by Siemens that travel at up to 80 km/h. Passengers can change to the Skytrain at Si Lom, Sukhumvit and Chatuchak Park stations. The metro has a large depot in Huai Khwang district, which is located between Phra Ram 9 and Thailand Cultural Centre stations.

Due to safety considerations, platform screen doors are installed. Uniformed security personnel and security cameras are present at each and every platform. Currently 19 three-car metro trains, of the Siemens Modular Metro type, are used. Each metro train consists of two motor cars and a centre trailer car. Passenger announcements on this line are made by journalist and news broadcaster Sarocha Pornudomsak.

Stations

Code	Station Name English	Station Name Thai	Change for	Location
Tao Poon-Tha Phra Extension (under construction, scheduled to open 2 March 2020)
BL01	Tha Phra	ท่าพระ	MRT  (Hua Lamphong-Lak Song Extension, under construction)	Bangkok Yai
BL02	Charan 13	จรัญฯ 13
BL03	Fai Chai	ไฟฉาย		Bangkok Noi
BL04	Bang Khun Non	บางขุนนนท์	MRT  (approved)  SRT  (planned)
BL05	Bang Yi Khan	บางยี่ขัน		Bang Phlat
BL06	Sirindhorn	สิรินธร
BL07	Bang Phlat	บางพลัด
BL08	Bang O	บางอ้อ
BL09	Bang Pho	บางโพ		Bang Sue
Operational
BL10	Tao Poon	เตาปูน	MRT	Bang Sue
BL11	Bang Sue	บางซื่อ	SRT  (under construction)  SRT  (planned)  ARL  (proposed) inter-city rails	Chatuchak
BL12	Kamphaeng Phet	กำแพงเพชร
BL13	Chatuchak Park	สวนจตุจักร	BTS
BL14	Phahon Yothin	พหลโยธิน	BTS  (testing system)
BL15	Lat Phrao	ลาดพร้าว	MRT  (under construction)
BL16	Ratchadaphisek	รัชดาภิเษก		Din Daeng/Huai Khwang
BL17	Sutthisan	สุทธิสาร
BL18	Huai Khwang	ห้วยขวาง
BL19	Thailand Cultural Centre	ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย	MRT  (Under construction)
BL20	Phra Ram 9	พระราม 9	Grand Square Phra Ram 9 Monorail (proposed)
BL21	Phetchaburi	เพชรบุรี	ARL  SRT  (proposed) inter-city rails	Ratchathewi
BL22	Sukhumvit	สุขุมวิท	BTS	Watthana
BL23	Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre	ศูนย์การประชุมแห่งชาติสิริกิติ์		Khlong Toei
BL24	Khlong Toei	คลองเตย
BL25	Lumphini	ลุมพินี	MRL  (proposed)	Sathon
BL26	Si Lom	สีลม	BTS	Bang Rak
BL27	Sam Yan	สามย่าน		Pathum Wan
BL28	Hua Lamphong	หัวลำโพง	SRT  (Planned) inter-city rails
BL29	Wat Mangkon	วัดมังกร		Samphanthawong
BL30	Sam Yot	สามยอด	MRT  (Tao Poon-Rat Burana Extension, approved)	Phra Nakhon
BL31	Sanam Chai	สนามไชย
BL32	Itsaraphap	อิสรภาพ		Bangkok Yai
BL01	Tha Phra	ท่าพระ	MRT  (Tao Poon-Tha Phra Extension, under construction)
Tha Phra-Lak Song Extension (under construction, scheduled to open 29 September 2019)
BL33	Bang Phai	บางไผ่		Phasi Charoen
BL34	Bang Wa	บางหว้า	BTS
BL35	Phetkasem 48	เพชรเกษม 48
BL36	Phasi Charoen	ภาษีเจริญ
BL37	Bang Khae	บางแค		Bang Khae
BL38	Lak Song	หลักสอง
Lak Song-Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Extension (approved)
BL39	Phutthamonthon Sai 2	พุทธมณฑลสาย 2		Bang Khae/Nong Khaem
BL40	Thawi Watthana	ทวีวัฒนา
BL41	Phutthamonthon Sai 3	พุทธมณฑลสาย 3
BL42	Phutthamonthon Sai 4	พุทธมณฑลสาย 4

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. 140 people were hurt, most of whom sustained only minor injuries, and the entire Metro network was shut down for two weeks.

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 maintenance centre 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 metres 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 operation 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 (~0.33 USD).

Current extension under construction

Sanam Chai underground station in April 2017

Bang Wa MRT Station in June 2016 (under construction)

The 27 km Blue Line extension will form a quasi circle line (loop). It consists of 19 stations (4 underground stations and 15 elevated stations). (The previous terminus at Bang Sue was extended 1.2 km to the current terminus at Tao Poon as part of the Purple Line project. This opened on 11 August 2017 ).

From Tao Poon station, the line will run elevated west along Pracha Rat Sai 2 rd, cross the Chao Praya river and then run south along the Ratchadapisek inner ring road (Charan Sanit Wong rd) terminating at Tha Phra. From the current Hua Lamphong terminus the line runs 5.4 km underground through Chinatown, under the Chao Praya river to Tha Phra station where it surfaces. It then runs west along Phetkasem road to Lak Song.

The project is divided into 5 contracts:

Contract	Notes	Kilometre
1	Hua Lamphong to Sanam Chai (2 stations underground, Bt11.65 Billion, contractor ITD)	2.8 km
2	Sanam Chai to Tha Phra (2 stations underground, Bt10.82B, contractor CK)	2.6 km
3	Tao Poon to Tha Phra (8 stations elevated, Bt11.40B, contractor SH-Unique Joint venture)	11 km
4	Tha Phra to Lak Song (7 stations elevated, plus a park-and-ride venue and maintenance yard, Bt13.43B, contractor STEC)	10.5 km
5	Rolling stock and systems, Bt5.17 Billion, contractor CK.

Construction Progress

Construction commenced in mid-2011 for a scheduled 2016 opening. As of July 2014, civil works progress was 52% done. By October 2014, civil works were 63.75% done. As of January 2017, civil works were 89.16% done. As of 31 December 2017, the progress of civil works construction was at 97.52% according to the MRTA As of the end of April 2018, the MRTA stated that civil works progress had advanced to 98.25% with Signalling & Electrical installation at 41.30%.

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 (Contract 5) 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.

The first section of the Blue Line extension from Hua Lamphong – Tha Phra will open on 12 August 2019. The next section from Tha Phra – Lak Song will then open in late September 2019. The final section from Tao Poon to Tha Pra will open in March 2020.

New Rolling stock order

File:Siemens Inspiro MRT Bangkok.jpg

The Blue Line MRT Siemens Inspiro rolling stock at Laem Chabang Port, Chonburi province

In September 2017, BEM contracted Siemens to supply 35 sets (3 cars) of Siemens Inspiro rolling stock and provide maintenance for 10 years, a contract worth 20 billion baht. The fleet will be built in the Siemens plant in Vienna. The first batch of 3 sets of the new trains were delivered by late 2018. A further 6 sets were delivered by late May 2019. A second batch of 10 sets will be delivered by September 2019 and the last batch of 16 sets will be delivered by March 2020.

Future extension

West: Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Extension

Since 2011, there were requests from residents to extend the line further from Lak Song west to the Phutthamonthon area. The MRTA has indicated a willingness to undertake this extension. In July 2014, the MRTA submitted a request for 84 million baht to complete a route survey for a 7.8 km extension from Lak Song to Phutthamonthon Sai 4. In late March 2017, the Transport Ministry stated that this 7.8 km extension would be submitted to Cabinet for approval in April 2017. The expected timeframe was for construction to commence in the 4th quarter of 2017. However, the tender has been delayed until late 2019.

South: Tha Phra south?

There is future potential and contingency for the Blue Line to be extended further south from Tha Phra along the inner ring road (Ratchadapisek rd) to provide interchange with the SRT Dark Red line, MRT Purple Line and future BMA Grey line Monorail. However, this is not part of current OTP plans and would only be considered in the long term future.

External links

• Official website
• "MRTA Blue Line extension website" (archived)