Bangkok: Flat fare of 20 baht for Red and Purple line interchange
The Transport Ministry announced the implementation of a flat fare of 20 baht for passengers interchanging between the Red and Purple lines using EMV contactless payment.
Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote unveiled the scheme yesterday, November 30, stating that it is in line with a Cabinet resolution from October 16, which authorised the ministry to establish a 20-baht flat fare for the electric train system.
This pilot initiative applies to the State Railway of Thailand (SRT)’s Red Line that runs from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal Station to Rangsit and from the central terminal to Taling Chan Station. Additionally, it also includes the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) Purple Line that operates from Khlong Bang Phai to Tao Poon stations.
Surapong revealed that the 20-baht flat fare is designed to ease the financial pressure on commuters who use the interchange station at the central station connecting the SRT’s Red Line and MRT Purple Line. However, he mentioned that the fare would only apply when commuters utilise EMV (Europay, MasterCard and Visa) contactless cards for payment. Furthermore, commuters must use the same EMV card to interchange between the two railway systems within a time frame of 30 minutes, reported Bangkok Post.
In a related development, political activist Srisuwan Janya petitioned the Ombudsman to address contentious issues related to the Pink Line construction. The issues have been flagged as dangerous to pedestrians and people with disabilities. Srisuwan’s petition was prompted by numerous complaints about the construction of the 34.5 kilometre Pink Line, currently in its trial phase, which connects Min Buri to the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road.
The majority of these complaints are centred around the inconvenience of using footpaths, particularly for those in wheelchairs, due to Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) electricity control booths obstructing their path. Additionally, some raised concerns about the low height of elevated railway beams near Prem Prachakon Canal on Chaeng Watthana Road.
