The Mass Rapid Transit Authority board agreed on Wednesday to negotiate with Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM) to run two extended routes of the Blue Line.
Board chairman Yodyuth Boonyathikarn said the board approved a recommendation by a panel studying the Joint Public-Private Partnership Act which wanted BEM to operate the extended routes of the Blue Line to maintain operational consistency and fix the so-called missing link problem with the Purple Line.
The board's decision will be forwarded to the Public-Private Partnership Committee for approval by early July to pave the way for price negotiations with BEM, he added.
BEM already operates the Blue Line, better known as MRT, from Hua Lamphong to Bang Sue. The extensions involve two sectors from Bang Sue to Tha Phra, and Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae.
BEM also runs the Purple Line from Bang Yai to Tao Pun for the MRTA.
Tao Pun station is supposed to be an interchange between the two lines.
As the extended Blue Line from Bang Sue is not ready, commuters have to find their own way to go the one kilometre from Tao Pun to Bang Sue to board the MRT.
The Purple Line launched the first test run on Monday and will be officially open on Aug 6.