Published: December 3, 2023, at 7:03.
The Transport Ministry has been asked by the Thailand Consumer Council (TCC ) to set the mass rapid transit system’s fare at 20 baht.
Saree Aungsomwang, secretary-general of the TCC, stated on Saturday during the conference on the 20-baht smooth train rate that the organization intends to push its petition for a lower level rate until it is successful in the endeavor.
She claimed that according to studies done by the government, the takings from a 20-baht flat rate would be enough to pay for the electric coach route’s operating expenses.
Since only 25 % of Thai shoppers use public transportation, the flat price can also help reduce environmental pollution by making it more accessible.
According to Ms. Saree, the TCC is encouraging commuters to use public transportation, but ticket prices should be lower than 10 % of the minimum wage ( roughly 350 baht in Bangkok ).
According to a study of 2,500 travellers on the new Pink Line company, which is free to walk until January 5, Kongsak Cheunkrailart, assistant director of the TCC’s travel committee, found that the majority wanted equitably low rates, similar to those being applied on Red and Purple Lines.
According to the study, 69.8 % of respondents believed that the flat rate may help lower travel costs and promote the use of the company.
About 55 % of the respondents thought the Pink Line’s charges, which range from 15 to 45 baht when it debuts the following month, were very expensive.
Additionally, they concurred that a level rate should preferably not exceed 27 baht.
As a representative of electric rail users, the Bangkok Consumer Network also expressed the opinion that one price may encourage increased use of public transportation.
The number of passengers on both the Red and Purple lines increased immediately after the introduction of revised pricing on October 16, according to Atiphu Jittanukrao, deputy director-general of the Department of Rail Transport ( DRT ).
But, he added that the DRT needs to take into account significantly lower profits, from 660,000 to 500, 000 baht per day for the Red Line and from 1, 000 000 to 600,000.
A committee had examine all proposals and encourage TCC members to participate in order to implement the flat rate policy, he said.