Mr. Surapong Laoha-Unya, Executive Director of BTS Group announced that in August the BTS SkyTrain, a core business in the group achieved the milestone total of 2,000,000,000 passenger trips, recorded since commencing passenger service in December 1999. In it's first full year of operation, total patronage of the system was 17.54 million trips. However at present the average number of passengers on a working day is 710,915 trips, and 562,126 on Saturdays, while on Sundays and Public Holidays the system averages 416,557 trips. On January 13th, 2014, a patronage record of 913,084 trips was established, with the highest number of trips for a weekend recorded on Saturday 29th March 2014 at 669,556 trips, and on February 14th, 575,999 trips.

Excluding the first year of BTS SkyTrain operation, over the past 15 years, annual ridersip has grown by an average of 10% year-on-year. In the second year of operation, ridership increased significantly by 34.74%, due to the higher levels of passenger satisfaction and increased awareness of time-saving benefits of travelling by the BTS SkyTrain. During the same year, the Company also launched special promotions, such as a discount for students and adults using the Sky SmartPass. The 30-Day SmartPasses for Student and Adult, which were introduced in the following year, including the special Tourist Pass, accounted for the majority of the ridership increase. A convenient shuttle bus feeder service was provided during the first 5 years of BTS operation, linking other major areas of the city with BTS stations.

The rapid expansion of building, shopping and condominium development along the BTS SkyTrain routes, including the construction of direct walkway connections from BTS stations to adjacent buildings, is another major factor in the increasing ridership of the system. At total of 37 connecting walkways at 17 stations currently provide enhanced access for passengers traveling around the city, making activities such as New Year’s parties, Songkran festival or special events at various shopping and exhibition Centres, far more convenient for people to attend.

Since the first 2.2 km extension of Silom Line from Saphan Taksin to Wongwian Yai Station was opened in 2009, followed by a further 5.25 km. extension consisting of 4 stations from Wongwian Yai to Bang Wa in 2013, also the opening of the 5.25 km extension of the Sukhumvit Line in 2011, consisting of 5 stations from On Nut to Bearing, have contributed significantly to increasing ridership. The total length of the original consession lines ran a total distance of 23.5 km, with the total length of extension routes running a combined distance of 12.75 km.

In response to the increasing number of passengers and extensions of the lines from a total length of 23.5 km. to the current total length of 36.25 km., the Company has expanded the original fleet of 35 Three-Car trains at opening in 1999, to a total of 52 Four-Car trains in 2014.

Mr. Surapong added that on the occasion of the BTS SkyTrain achieving 2,000,000,000 trips, BTSC would like to express profound gratitude to all passengers and confirm the company's commitment to further enhancing services and providing commuters with the highest levels of convenience and safety. To celebrate this special occasion, on 4th September 50,000 limited edition pens will be presented to passengers, when refilling 100 baht or more on their BTS passes. Also various social activities will be organized, including blood donation by BTS staff, presentation of 15 wheelchairs and hosting of lunch for students at the Nonthaphum Home for Children with Disabilities in Pak Kret.