The Blue Line System
The Blue Line System has been designed as a modern, heavy rail transit system, which, ultimately, will be capable of transporting at least 40,000 passengers per hour per direction. Approximately 84% of the project is financed through public sector funds. The project includes design and construction of 18 underground stations and about 20 kilometres of tunnels and tracks, with lifts and escalators and depot platforms. The remaining 16% is implemented by BMCL under concession, which includes the procurement of passenger trains, traction power supply and distribution, signalling system, communication system, fare collection system, platform screen doors, SCADA system, signage and workshop equipment. It also includes the construction of the required depot buildings, administrative office and working capital.

Milestones
• 16 June 1997: MRTA announced the concession bidding.
• 18 February 1998: BMCL was established with 1 million baht capitalisation.
• 1 August 2000: Concession agreement was awarded to BMCL by MRTA.
• 19 December 2001: Awarded turnkey M&E Equipment and M&E Maintenance contracts to Siemens
• 27 February 2001: Increased capitalisation to 6,500 million baht
• 28 March 2002: Received Confirmed Letter of Cooperation from BMTA to develop the extensive bus feeder system
• 4 April 2002: Signed shareholders’ agreement with KTB, TMB and SCIB
• 19 November 2002: Opened
passenger assembly lines at Siemens
• 30 December 2002: Engaged MTRC (HK) as part of the M&E Equipment contract for operation support in such areas as training, operation and safety
• 16 January 2003: Obtained promotional privileges from the BOI

Corporate strength
• strong government support
• superior technology from world-class vendors, to ensure maximum safety, efficiency, speed and reliability
• full cooperation from relevant authorities, including the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and public bus operators in developing an extensive bus feeder system
• extensive experience in the field, having worked closely with MRTA in terms of design and facilities to allow seamless integration with the existing transportation system and the surrounding
• acknowledged as the first subway operator in Thailand