BEM escalates its capacity in response to passenger numbers which have doubled after one-station link between Blue Line and Purple Line has opened. BEM sets a roadmap that includes short-term and long-term plan to improve service and efficiency. BEM is confident in its service as evidenced by strong turnover on the first half of 2017.
Dr.Sombat Kitjalaksana, Managing Director of Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited, said: “Following an opening of the 1.2km one-station link from Tao Poon to Bang Sue that connects together Chalong Ratchadham Line (MRT Purple Line) and Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (MRT Blue Line), we have seen an increasing traffic volume on Purple Line from 30,000 trips to more than 50,000 trips per day. And for the Blue Line, number of passengers has increased from 340,000 to more than 360,000 passengers a day.”
“Such increasing number evidently boosted BEM’s turnover. Before the one-station link was opened, revenue from the Blue Line was approximately 6.99 million baht per day. It has risen to 7.72 million baht per day after the Tao Poon-Bang Sue linked station opened in August. This positive result will lead to a significant increase in BEM’s turnover in the second half of 2017compared to the same period last year,” added Dr.Sombat.
In the first half of 2017, total revenue were 7,505 million baht – 2,230 million baht from that amount came from metro business – with net profit of 1,432 million baht, or 18.54%increase year-on-year.
Dr.Sombat discussed: “In response to passenger number that has rapidly increased, BEM has already ordered 35 new trains as part of the Blue Line Extension investment with budget of 20 billion baht, scheduled to be put in service starting by the end of 2019. The process of manufacturing and testing the first 3 trains will be accelerated with the plan to finish by the end of 2018 to have them ready to operate on the Blue Line by early 2019.”
Simultaneously, BEM is in the process of boosting capacity of all 19 trains operating on the Blue Line by increasing train speed and adjusting train schedule to cope with passenger number at different time and improving maintenance team’s efficiency to offer best and fastest service on all 19 trains operated on the Blue Line. Additional station staff will be added to offer smooth service during rush hours.
In addition, BEM sets to continuously expand train network with plan to open extension of the Blue Line from Hua Lamphong to Lak Song around September 2019 and from Tao Poon to ThaPhra in March 2020.