Govt apologises for delaying Bt20 Bangkok-wide train fares until November

Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit offered a public apology today to Thai mass transit commuters for the delay in implementing the 20-baht single ticket system for train and bus services in greater Bangkok, from October 1st to November 15.

He attributed the delay the bills on joint ticket management and on the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand being yet to pass their second and final readings in the House of Representatives.

The 20-baht flat fare for travel by train and bus services using the same ticket is a flag-ship policy of the ruling Pheu Thai party.

The single ticket system, available to Thai nationals only, will cover travel on the Green, Gold, Yellow, Pink, Blue, Purple and Red lines and Airport rail link, covering a total distance of 276.84 km and 194 stations.

Suriya said that, in order to implement this policy, it is necessary for a fund, called the Fund to Promote the Joint Ticket Management System, to be created under the two bills, to compensate the various train operators, among them BTS, Bangkok BRT, Bangkok Expressway and Metro, Bangkok Monorail and Asia Era One.

He explained that the Transport Ministry wanted to seek funding from the Central Fund to compensate the operators, but this was objected to by the Council of State on the grounds that this was not an urgent issue.

To go ahead with the 20-baht joint ticket system, while trying to figure out the source of funding, is not legally possible either, he said.

He confirmed, though, that the fare for the Purple Line, between Taopoon and Bang Yai, and the Red Line, between Rangsit through the Bang Sue train terminal and Taling Chan, remains at 20 baht for the entire route.

Registration for the 20-baht system is, however, now open via ‘Thang Rath’ platform, but only Thai nationals may apply.

Meanwhile, Parit Wacharasindhu, spokesman for the opposition People’s party, said today that the party agrees with the policy of providing commuters with convenient and cheap public transport, but questions whether its implementation might benefit certain operators.

He asked why there is a delay, noting that the government has a majority in the House so, with the support of the Opposition, there should be no problem for the two bills to sail through.