Thailand’s single ticket system to cut public transport costs
The Common Ticketing System Management Bill, which aims to enable commuters to purchase a single ticket for various public transport modes, is expected to reduce service costs, according to a public hearing. The Thailand Consumers Council organised this hearing to gather feedback on the bill for the House’s special committee reviewing the measure.
Jiraroth Sukolrat, Deputy Director-General of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning, outlined the bill’s primary goals: reducing overlapping agency tasks related to ticketing, enhancing convenience and safety, and ensuring fair service pricing.
Surachet Pravinvongvuth, a People’s Party list MP, mentioned that the party has proposed its own version of the bill alongside the government’s. The PP’s version demands clarity on ticket fare pricing under the single ticketing system, and it specifies that the system should encompass all public transport types, including buses and boats, not just Bangkok’s electric trains.
Surachet emphasised that public transport means all types of public transport services, not limited to just electric rail services.
Krichanont Iyapunya, an assistant to Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit representing Pheu Thai Party at the forum, stated that the ruling party aims to lower public transport costs to 10% of the daily minimum wage. By September, electric rail fares will be capped at 20 baht per trip, and there is ongoing research to potentially reduce public bus fares to 10 baht per trip.
Krichanont noted that additional funding will not be required for this initiative, as the State Railway of Thailand Fund, sourced from Bangkok taxpayers, can support these low-cost transit services for at least two years. He further explained that the government expects to reduce project funding as passenger numbers increase.
The pilot phase of the 20-baht electric train service on the Red and Purple Lines is anticipated to reach financial breakeven within two years, reported Bangkok Post.
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