Would you still take BTS if....

[theguyfromanotherforum]

The price for foreigners was 10% more than Thai nationals?

[Crossy]

For those over 60 it already is. Thais can get "Elder" cards (50% discount), non-thais cannot.

 

[Gruff]

I probably still would but it would be another reason for not re-visiting Thailand in the future.

 

 

If something is a discount for a perceived 'poorer / disadvantaged/ group that is one thing. If it is a hike to extract money from foreigners that is another

 

Edited April 3, 2018 by Gruff

[dfdgfdfdgs]

Just now, Crossy said:

For those over 60 it already is. Thais can get "Elder" cards (50% discount), non-thais cannot.

 

I thought that was just MRT.  BTS I think foreigners can get old-people cards.  No?

[richard_smith237]

I don't use it much anyway.... 

 

I'd have to drive to it and park (i.e. at a Shopping Mall, Gateway or Emporium) or take a taxi. 

It's then so hot, sticky... its also commonly overcrowded (8-10am & 4-8pm) that we often have to wait longer in the heat for the next train. 

 

It's often easier just to hop in the car... which may or may not take longer depending on the destination, but at least I'm in my own comfortable little cage, my own aircon temp, my own music etc... 

 

Yes, not very 'community minded' and it adds to the traffic... but I find simply too hot to use the BTS, especially at this time of year. 

 

So, the price doesn't bother me, especially if only 10% extra (compared to Thai's) although I would object in principle... the double pricing wouldn't impact my use when its a necessity. 

[dfdgfdfdgs]

I don't think they would introduce that because the BTS is used by so many foreigners already (I'd guess about a 50/50 split between foreign and Thai riders?  At least on the Sumhumvit Line, Silom maybe not quite as many foreigners).

 

I'd be forced to still use it, there's no other efficient way to get around a lot of BKK.

[alex8912]

32 minutes ago, dfdgfdfdgs said:

I don't think they would introduce that because the BTS is used by so many foreigners already (I'd guess about a 50/50 split between foreign and Thai riders?  At least on the Sumhumvit Line, Silom maybe not quite as many foreigners).

 

I'd be forced to still use it, there's no other efficient way to get around a lot of BKK.

50% of riders on the Sukumvit line are not foreigners lol. Are you kidding? At most on average 10-20% max. Twenty percent is actually quite high and probably incorrect. 

[Crossy]

43 minutes ago, dfdgfdfdgs said:

I thought that was just MRT.  BTS I think foreigners can get old-people cards.  No?

It's the other way round, MRT can get BTS can not.

[Ulysses G.]

I would hate it, but I would probably pay. It is so much more convenient than other ways to travel.

[InMyShadow]

One station costs 16 baht. And the average is around 40 baht. Westerners should leave immediately if this is an issue

Why is this even a topic?

[brewsterbudgen]

Of course I would. How else could I get to work?

Sent from my SM-G930F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Sandy Freckle]

So..., does one simply go to the window at MRT to get an 'elder card' ticket ? 

[NutsMango]

10 hours ago, InMyShadow said:

One station costs 16 baht. And the average is around 40 baht.

Super expensive in compare with some European countries

[Crossy]

5 hours ago, Sandy Freckle said:

So..., does one simply go to the window at MRT to get an 'elder card' ticket ? 

Pretty much, there may be a form to fill, if you have a Thai speaker to take it can't hurt. You need your passport of course to prove your age.

[sqwakvfr]

"The price for foreigners was 10% more than Thai nationals"

 

How does the ticket machine know I am a foreigner?  

 

 

[HooHaa]

its not going to happen so the question is moot.

[InMyShadow]

Super expensive in compare with some European countries

What countries? What price? Do they run every 10 minutes and pull into shopping malls?

[Crossy]

3 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

"The price for foreigners was 10% more than Thai nationals"

 

How does the ticket machine know I am a foreigner? 

It doesn't have to. Buy a single ride from the machine and everyone pays the higher price. Get a stored-value card from the ticket office and the Thai gets the discounted card, the non-Thai gets a full fare card.

 

 

[jenny2017]

I would tell all Russians, Nigerians, and Chinese not to come to Thailand because they get ripped off. 

[NutsMango]

2 minutes ago, InMyShadow said:

What countries? What price? Do they run every 10 minutes and pull into shopping malls?

When I was in Prague it was bit over 800 THB for 30 days of UNLIMITED travel in the city - metro, trams, buses, ferries and railway.

 

Not just couple of overcrowded lines requiring you to buy a new ticket every inter change.

[InMyShadow]

When I was in Prague it was bit over 800 THB for 30 days of UNLIMITED travel in the city - metro, trams, buses, ferries and railway.
 
Not just couple of overcrowded lines requiring you to buy a new ticket every inter change.

Dead wrong! You can buy monthly passes

Big difference in a stinking hot city with gridlock traffic. For most it's the only option.

50 trips is around 1k a month using the monthly pass option.

Pretty hard to use more than that.

Of course dummy westerners make the mistake of renting in the middle of nowhere but you can't fix stupid.

[NutsMango]

8 minutes ago, InMyShadow said:

Dead wrong! You can buy monthly passes

Big difference in a stinking hot city with gridlock traffic. For most it's the only option.

50 trips is around 1k a month using the monthly pass option.

Pretty hard to use more than that.

Of course dummy westerners make the mistake of renting in the middle of nowhere but you can't fix stupid.

The city has gridlock traffic because the public transport system sux

[InMyShadow]

The city has gridlock traffic because the public transport system sux

That's no secret but I've been to many first world countries that also have crap traffic and they are 50 years advanced

[jenny2017]

19 minutes ago, InMyShadow said:

Dead wrong! You can buy monthly passes

Big difference in a stinking hot city with gridlock traffic. For most it's the only option.

50 trips is around 1k a month using the monthly pass option.

Pretty hard to use more than that.

Of course dummy westerners make the mistake of renting in the middle of nowhere but you can't fix stupid.

 Well, perhaps not so bright, or less educated...

[Gruff]

On 4/4/2018 at 12:53 PM, InMyShadow said:

What countries? What price? Do they run every 10 minutes and pull into shopping malls?


 

Some European cities (especially Eastern Europe) do have pretty cheap transport systems in the main cities. I even recall the transport system in Berlin being very cost effective. The metro in Bangkok is not comparitively as 'cheap as chips'

[InMyShadow]

Some European cities (especially Eastern Europe) do have pretty cheap transport systems in the main cities. I even recall the transport system in Berlin being very cost effective. The metro in Bangkok is not comparitively as 'cheap as chips'

Not true. One stop in Berlin is about 60 baht compared to 16 baht here.

[Gruff]

Just had a look at a few comparitves re one off fares. Swampy to Phaya Thai 45 baht but will need an addtonal ride to get to the centre. Berlin Airport to the centre 91 baht. Sofia Airport to centre is 30 baht.

[InMyShadow]

Just had a look at a few comparitves re one off fares. Swampy to Phaya Thai 45 baht but will need an addtonal ride to get to the centre. Berlin Airport to the centre 91 baht. Sofia Airport to centre is 30 baht.

You have gone waaay off topic. Read the OP title. Why your comparing bangkok to Berlin is a complete mystery.. Because they both start with a B?

[dfdgfdfdgs]

36 minutes ago, alex8912 said:

50% of riders on the Sukumvit line are not foreigners lol. Are you kidding? At most on average 10-20% max. Twenty percent is actually quite high and probably incorrect. 

I think it's about 50%.  Maybe slightly less outside high season.  If you mean people who don't look Asian then yes maybe about 20%.  As usual all the Chinese, Japanese, Malaysians and Koreans get lumped in with the Thais.

[LawrenceN]

On 4/4/2018 at 6:43 PM, Crossy said:

Pretty much, there may be a form to fill, if you have a Thai speaker to take it can't hurt. You need your passport of course to prove your age.

No forms. You can do it for each single fare. I have shown my driver's license, and sometimes no ID.