Bangkok Blue Line train disrupted, passengers diverted

Signalling system problem along 12-station stretch fixed shortly after 4pm

Passengers using the MRT Blue Line in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon were forced to alter their routes after a signalling system failure suspended services on a 12-station stretch for more than two hours before repairs were completed.

Passengers using the MRT Blue Line in Bangkok on Saturday afternoon were forced to alter their routes after a signalling system failure suspended services on a 12-station stretch for more than two hours before repairs were completed.

The system failure was detected at the Hua Lamphong station on the line towards Tha Phra and Lak Song, the service operator Bangkok Expressway and Metro (BEM) reported at 2.25pm. The first online post announcing a 30-minute delay on the line was posted at 1.20pm.

Many commuters quickly posted comments beneath the announcements asking when services would resume.

The user of a Facebook account named Kanokwan Pom commented at 3.15pm that the service was still unavailable. The commenter said staff at Hua Lamphong station had told passengers that repairs would take another hour and a half.

Screens at Blue Line stations showed that services at 12 stations from Phetchaburi (BL21) to Itsaraphap (BL32) had been suspended.

BEM finally announced at 4.13pm that repairs had been completed and normal services were resuming.

During the interruption, passengers travelling to inner Bangkok, including Sukhumvit and Silom, were advised to switch to the BTS Skytrain at Mo Chit or Bang Wa stations.

Those travelling to the Airport Rail Link were advised to use the BTS at Phaya Thai station instead.

Two BMTA shuttle buses were also operating between Rama IX and Tha Phra stations.

A full route map of MRT Blue Line can be found here.