Free public transport gives big boost to Bangkok train trip numbers

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In: South-East Asia

PUBLISHED: 27 Jan 2025 at 19: 05

A BTS Asoke station employee holds up a free train ticket. Staff at major BTS stations were seen giving out free tickets to help speed up the flow of commuters on Monday morning as ridership of both BTS and MRT has continued to grow in the wake of the government’s free public transport campaign aimed at tackling air pollution in Bangkok. (Photo: Somchai Poomlard)
A BTS Asoke place individual presents a complimentary train seat. Ridership of both Song and MRT has increased in the midst of the president’s free public transportation campaign aimed at tackling air pollution in Bangkok. On Monday night, workers at big Song facilities were seen handing out free cards to help speed up the stream of commuters. ( Photo: Somchai Poomlard )

Train ridership surged 60 % across Greater Bangkok on Sunday, the second day of the government’s week-long offer of free public transport to help combat air pollution, the Department of Rail Transport ( DRT ) said on Tuesday.

DRT director-general Pichet Kunathammarak&nbsp, said ridership on the state’s electric train system shot upward 60.90 % on Sunday, to 1, 549, 622 visits, over the three preceding Sundays in January.

The number was up on the 45.29 % rise in Saturday’s ridership, the first day of the free public travel plan.

Under government regulations, Bangkok’s air quality is impacted by the high level of particulate matter 2.5 micrometers and smaller ( PM2.5 ) pollution. From January 25 to January 31, people can travel for free on the city’s public buses and electric trains. &nbsp,

Mr. Pichet provided the following ridership break for Sunday:  

1. Airport Rail Link- Ridership rose 34.36 % to 69, 199 visits compared with the typical traffic on the three preceding Sundays.

2. Red Line- Ridership skyrocketed 72.44 % to 43, 083 visits.

3. Blue Line- Ridership grew 48.38 % to 417, 740 visits.

4. Purple Line- Ridership expanded 46.76 % to 55, 164 visits.

5. BTS Green Line (Sukhumvit and Silom routes) – Ridership soared 62.46% to 805,591 trips.

6. Gold Line – Ridership rose 153.07% to 16,470 trips.

7. Yellow Line – Ridership swelled 114.47% to 64,662 trips.

8. Pink Line- Ridership ballooned 122.36 % to 77, 713 visits.

Free solution flyer

Mr. Pichet claimed that the DRT had asked the MRT and BTS’s users to track ridership during rush hour and improve coach trips accordingly. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Local media reported that team at occupied BTS Skytrain channels like Siam, Mo Chit, and Asoke distributed free train tickets to commuters on Monday during the morning rush hour, despite the high demand. &nbsp,

While customers under the Mo Chit and Siam channels was not as congested as it had previously been seen on Monday evenings, the majority of the travellers wore face veils to protect themselves from the fine sand. &nbsp, &nbsp,

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit stated that the government had review all relevant data and figures following the plan before deciding whether to extend the free public transportation system.

Some critics claimed that the government is barking at the wrong tree and that the 140 million baht campaign could actually reduce the number of cars on the capital’s roads. Mr. Suriya insisted that the program would reduce the number of cars traveling on the roads.

Anyone who wants to know for certain can check with the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, or the &nbsp. They have CCTV camaras across Bangkok. The transportation minister said that they can check whether there are more cars or not.