BEMescalates its capacityin response to passenger numbers which have doubled after one-station link between Blue Line and Purple Line has opened. BEM sets a roadmap that includesshort-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.SombatKitjalaksana, 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 ChalongRatchadhamLine (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 than50,000 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 firsthalf 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.
Simultaneously, BEM is in the process of boosting capacity of all 19 trains operating on the Blue Lineby increasingtrain 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.
