Fare cut: Bangkok train rides slashed to just 20 baht
The Transport Ministry announced that commuters on Bangkok’s Blue, Yellow, and Pink electric train lines will pay a maximum fare of 20 baht by June 2025.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, revealed the progress of the government’s initiative to implement this fare cap on all electric train routes in the capital by September next year.
The 20-baht fare cap has already been in effect on the Purple and Red Line trains since October last year. Suriya confirmed that the Blue Line, Pink Line (spanning Khae Rai to Min Buri), and Yellow Line (covering Lat Phrao to Samrong) will adopt this policy by June next year.
To ensure this change does not breach existing agreements with private train operators, the government, through the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), is negotiating compensation for any revenue losses. Suriya stated that the estimated 8 billion baht annual compensation will be sourced from a newly established fund supported by the government budget, the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund, and MRTA revenues.
In addition to this fare cap, the ministry is drafting a joint-ticket bill. This bill will allow commuters to use a single ticket or card across the entire public transport network, including participating shops and service providers.
“Currently, only train lines under the MRTA’s supervision can be capped at 20 baht. Other operators, such as the Green Line managed by BTS Group Holdings, can join the policy once the joint-ticket bill is enacted, expected by 2025.”
Since the introduction of the 20-baht fare cap, the Red Line has seen a 27.61% increase in users, totalling 6.21 million, while the Purple Line experienced an 11.53% rise, reaching 14.29 million users over seven months. Despite the policy leading to an estimated combined revenue loss of 300 million baht per year for these lines, the boost in ridership suggests a positive impact on public transport accessibility in Bangkok, reported The Nation.
