The Transport Ministry of Thailand has reiterated that it will continue with its plans of a THB20 or RM2.60 fare cap for all rail lines in the country’s capital city of Bangkok despite Opposition leaders questioning the initiative.
The RM2.60 fare cap is for all electric trains in Bangkok and was part of the ruling Pheu Thai Party’s election promises. Currently, the fare cap has been introduced at the SRT Red Line and MRT Purple Line in the capital city since October 2023.
The RM2.60 fare cap will be fully implemented by September 2025
Surachet pravinvongvuth
According to the Thai-based publication The Nation, the country’s Transport Minister Surachet Pravinvongvuth stressed that the fare cap will be fully implemented at all rail lines in Bangkok by September 2025.
He further asserted that the policy was designed to develop transportation and logistics, as well as mitigate the expense burden for commuters as the current maximum fair for a single train ride in Bangkok is THB192 or RM24.90.
Mrt purple line train
Surachet added that to make the fare cap possible on all routes, the Thai Transport Ministry was drafting a joint-ticket bill that would allow commuters to use on ticket or card to travel across the public transport network as well as at participating shops and service providers.
Moreover, a fund would be established to compensate operators for loss in revenue from the train fare cap. Besides that, the policy is touted to be eco-friendly as mass usage of electric trains rather than cars would reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and dust particles in the city.
Bangkok Post last year reported that the RM2.60 fare cap on the MRT Purple Line is applicable only to passengers who pay the fare with credit cards or with a contactless payment system, hence foreigners such as Malaysians visiting Bangkok will also enjoy the fare cap.
Srt red line train
So, what do you guys think of this initiative? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
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