Blue Line (Bangkok)

MRT Blue Line or Chaloem Ratchamongkon Line สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล
The train arriving at Si Lom station
Overview
Other name(s)	MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line
Owner	Mass Rapid Transit Authority
Locale	Bangkok
Termini	Tha Phra Lak Song (via Thailand Cultural Centre)
Stations	38
Color on map	Blue
Service
Type	Rapid transit
System	MRT
Services	Tha Phra - Lak Song Special Services: Tha Phra - Bang Wa Phetkasem 48 - Bang Pho Lak Song - Tao Poon via Phra Ram 9 Lak Song - Tao Poon via Tha Phra Platform 3&4
Operator(s)	Bangkok Expressway and Metro
Depot(s)	Phra Ram 9 Phetkasem
Rolling stock	Siemens Modular Metro EMU-IBL Siemens Modular Metro EMU-BLE
History
Commenced	2 December 1996
Opened	3 July 2004
Last extension	23 December 2019
Technical
Line length	48 km (30 mi) Elevated:20.78 km (12.91 mi) Underground:27.22 km (16.91 mi)
Track gauge	1,435 mm ( 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
Electrification	750 V DC third rail
Operating speed	80 km/h (50 mph)
Signalling	Siemens Trainguard LZB700M fixed block ATC under ATO GoA 2 (STO)
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 Blue Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้า สายสีน้ำเงิน) or MRT Chaloem Ratchamongkon Line (Thai: รถไฟฟ้ามหานคร สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) 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 and is operated by Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM). The original 20 km (12.43 mi) MRT Blue Line from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue opened on 3 July 2004. A 1.2 km (0.75 mi) extension to Tao Poon opened on 11 August 2017. The 15.9 km (9.88 mi) western extension to Lak Song opened for full service on 29 September 2019 and the 11 km (6.84 mi) extension from Tao Poon to Tha Phra to form the quasi loop, opened for full service on 30 March 2020.

The line has a total length of 48 km (29.83 mi), being a quasi circle route of the Bangkok rapid transit network. The MRT Blue line connects major business, residential and cultural areas of Bangkok. In late 2019, the average daily ridership was 400,000. In mid 2021, during a COVID-19 3rd wave in Bangkok ridership plummeted to between 76,000 - 116,000 per weekday.

Route alignment

The MRT Blue Line starts at the upper platform of Tha Phra station. It runs on an elevated viaduct northward along Charan Sanit Wong Road to Bang O station. Then turning eastwards crossing the 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 Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre station. It then turns west following Rama IV Road. It passes Hua Lamphong station in Pathum Wan District, through Chinatown, then under the Chao Phraya River before ascending onto an elevated viaduct to the lower platform of Tha Phra station. The line continues west along Phet Kasem Road to Lak Song station in Bang Khae, situated near Kanchanaphisek Road or Western Outer Ring road. It forms a quasi circle loop around Bangkok.

History

Officially named Chaloem Ratchamongkhon (Thai สายเฉลิมรัชมงคล) – "Celebration of Royal Auspice" – or informally but commonly called as the "MRT Blue Line", this was the first metro line under the newly formed government agency, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). Most civil infrastructure was provided by this government agency and handed over to a private sector on a 25-year concessionaire agreement. The winning bidder was Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM). Under this agreement, BEM provides 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. 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 MRT Blue Line 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 to 38 baht to 10-15 baht per trip.

Extension to Tao Poon

As part of the rapid transit master plan the original MRT Blue Line section was planned to be 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 to Tao Poon was signed on 26 August 2009 as part of MRT Purple Line contract as it provided interchange to the MRT Purple Line. The 1.2 km (0.75 mi) Bang Sue to Tao Poon extension opened on 11 August 2017. This added the first elevated station, Tao Poon, to the Blue line.

Extensions to Lak Song and Tha Phra

The major extension of the MRT Blue Line was the 27 km (16.8 mi) extension west to Lak Song and from Tao Poon to Tha Phra with 19 stations consisting of four underground and 15 elevated stations. Contracts for civil work were divided into five contracts. Successful bids were announced in late 2010. On 17 February 2011, the five contracts were signed.

Construction commenced in mid-2011 for a scheduled 2016 opening but this was subsequently delayed to 2019–2020. In August, 2017, BEM awarded the automatic fare collection ticket for the extension to Thales which to 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 won the contract to 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 operate the new extensions from Hua Lampong to Lak Song and Bang Sue to Tha Phra. The concession period was extended from 2029 to 2050.

• 
  Wat Mangkon station under construction. The station opened on 29 July 2019.
• 
  Bang Wa station under construction. The station opened on 29 July 2019.

The extension was opened in stages. The Hua Lamphong - Lak Song extension was opened for trial service on 29 July with full commercial services commencing 29 September 2019.

The Tao Poon - Tha Phra extension opened for limited trial services from 29 November 2019 with full commercial services commencing on 30 March 2020.

Rolling stock

The MRT Blue line is served by 54 three-car trains of which, 19 are first generation Siemens Modular Metro sets and 35 sets are second generation. The trains are powered by 750 V DC via third rail system, are air-conditioned and capable of traveling at up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

First generation

19 three-car Siemens Modular Metro were ordered for the initial part of the line. The trains entered 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.

• 
  First Generation train of MRT Blue Line (Siemens Modular Metro) or EMU-IBL.
• 
  First Generation train near Tao Poon MRT station.
• 
  Inside a Blue Line train, Siemens Modular Metro.
• 
  Interior of first generation trains. Noted only 1 row of handrails and hanging strap are present and with traditional route map above doors.

Second generation

In 2017, BEM ordered 35 three-car Siemens Modular Metros 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 was built at the Siemens plant in Vienna and tested in Germany. The first train arrived in 2019 with all trains delivered by early 2020.

• 
  The second generation train (EMU-BLE) of MRT Blue Line
• 
  Second Generation train at platform level of Bang Wa MRT station
• 
  Interior of second generation trains. With 3 rows of handrails and hanging strap. Along with dynamic route map.
• 
  Dynamic route map on new trains

Stations

Code	Station Name		Opened	Platform Type	Position	Park & Ride	Transfer	Location
	English	Thai
	Tha Phra (Upper Platform)	ท่าพระ	23 December 2019	Island	Elevated	-	MRT  (South section)	Bangkok Yai
	Charan 13	จรัญฯ 13		Side		-
	Fai Chai	ไฟฉาย		Side		-		Bangkok Noi
	Bang Khun Non	บางขุนนนท์		Side		-	MRT  (future)  SRT  (future) Connecting station with Charansanitwong Halt for • SRT Southern Line
	Bang Yi Khan	บางยี่ขัน		Side		-		Bang Phlat
	Sirindhorn	สิรินธร	4 December 2019	Side		-
	Bang Phlat	บางพลัด		Side		-
	Bang O	บางอ้อ		Side		-
	Bang Pho	บางโพ		Side		-	Mine Smart Ferry   CHAOPHRAYA EXPRESS	Bang Sue
	Tao Poon	เตาปูน	11 August 2017	Side		-	MRT
	Bang Sue	บางซื่อ	3 July 2004	Side	Underground	-	Connecting station with Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal for •  SRT  •  SRT •  ARL  (future) • SRT Northern Line • SRT Northeastern Line • SRT Southern Line • HSR Northern Line (future) • HSR Northeastern Line (under construction) • HSR Eastern Line (future) • HSR Southern Line (future)	Chatuchak
	Kamphaeng Phet	กำแพงเพชร		Island		-
	Chatuchak Park	สวนจตุจักร		Island		-	Connecting station with Mo Chit for  BTS
	Phahon Yothin	พหลโยธิน		Island		-	Connecting station with Ha Yaek Lat Phrao for  BTS
	Lat Phrao	ลาดพร้าว		Island		√	Connecting station with  MRT
	Ratchadaphisek	รัชดาภิเษก		Island		√		Din Daeng/Huai Khwang
	Sutthisan	สุทธิสาร		Island
	Huai Khwang	ห้วยขวาง		Island		√
	Thailand Cultural Centre	ศูนย์วัฒนธรรมแห่งประเทศไทย		Island		√	MRT  (under construction)
	Phra Ram 9	พระราม 9		Island		√
	Phetchaburi	เพชรบุรี		Island		√	MRL  (future) Connecting station with Makkasan for •  ARL  •  SRT  (future) • HSR Eastern Line (under construction) Asok for • SRT Eastern Line	Ratchathewi
	Sukhumvit	สุขุมวิท		Island		√	Connecting station with Asok for  BTS	Watthana
	Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre	ศูนย์การประชุมแห่งชาติสิริกิติ์		Island		√		Khlong Toei
	Khlong Toei	คลองเตย		Side		-
	Lumphini	ลุมพินี		Stacked		-		Sathon
	Si Lom	สีลม		Stacked		-	Connecting station with Sala Daeng for  BTS	Bang Rak
	Sam Yan	สามย่าน		Stacked		√		Pathum Wan
	Hua Lamphong	หัวลำโพง		Island		-	Connecting station with Bangkok for •  SRT  (future) • SRT Northern Line • SRT Northeastern Line • SRT Eastern Line • SRT Southern Line
	Wat Mangkon	วัดมังกร	29 July 2019	Stacked		-		Samphanthawong
	Sam Yot	สามยอด		Stacked		-	MRT  (under construction)	Phra Nakhon
	Sanam Chai	สนามไชย		Island		-	Mine Smart Ferry   CHAOPHRAYA EXPRESS
	Itsaraphap	อิสรภาพ		Island		-		Bangkok Yai
-L	Tha Phra (Lower Platform)	ท่าพระ		Side	Elevated	-	MRT  (North section)
	Bang Phai	บางไผ่	24 August 2019	Side		-		Phasi Charoen
	Bang Wa	บางหว้า		Side		-	Connecting station with  BTS  and Bang Wa pier for Khlong Phasi Charoen Boat Service
	Phetkasem 48	เพชรเกษม 48	21 September 2019	Side		-
	Phasi Charoen	ภาษีเจริญ		Side		-
	Bang Khae	บางแค		Side		-		Bang Khae
	Lak Song	หลักสอง		Side		√

Operation

The MRT Blue line runs from Tha Phra to Lak Song via Bang Sue, Phra Ram 9 and Hua Lamphong, serving 38 stations. The line operates everyday from 6am to midnight with headway of 4 minutes during rush hour and a maximum headway of 8 minutes after 10 pm.

All stations on the line are equipped with platform screen doors. Stations are built 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 line has 2 depots, one in Huai Khwang District, which is located between Phra Ram 9 and Thailand Cultural Centre station. The 2nd depot is located in Chom Thong District, near Phetkasem 48 station.

Fares increased by 1 baht from 1 January 2021. For example, a one station journey increases to Bt17 from Bt16, four stations to Bt24 from Bt23, seven stations to Bt31 from Bt30 and 10 stations to Bt38 from Bt37. The maximum fare is 42 baht.

Ridership

At 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. The MRT Blue line was expected to grow to a daily ridership of 800,000 once the Lak Song and Tha Phra extensions opened. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic by late 2020 had resulted in a dramatic reduction of ridership down to an average of 360,000 per weekday reverting to September 2017 levels. By August 2021, during a COVID-19 3rd wave in Bangkok ridership plummeted to only 76,000 per weekday.

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 rode the metro to increase public confidence 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 BEM quoted, and it was expected to be at least 400 million baht, which was totally insured by a local insurance company.

The line resumed full operations on 1 February 2005. 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.

Line map

Network map

Future extensions

Since 2011, there were requests from residents to extend the line farther from Lak Song west to the Phutthamonthon area. The MRTA 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 (4.8 mi), 4 station 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 with construction expected to commence in the 4th quarter of 2017. However, the tender was subsequently delayed until late 2019 due to other projects. In late 2019, the project was put on hold due to government budget constraints. In August 2021, the MRTA confirmed that the extension was not a priority especially given delays with the tenders for the MRT Orange and MRT Purple line extensions.

See also