Proposal to cut electric train fare to 15-baht flat rate is nothing new

 

 

Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob’s proposal to cut electric train fares to a 15 baht flat rate is just old wine in a new bottle to woo Bangkok voters. The same idea has suggested by almost every previous government since the Thaksin administration, more than a decade ago. It was always dropped as an idea because it could not be implemented without a heavy government subsidy, the source of which would be taxes.

 

BTSC, a subsidiary of BTS Group Holdings, operates the BTS skytrain under a concession awarded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.  It operates the Sukhumvit line from Mor Chit to Kheha and the Silom line which serves Silom and Sathorn roads, terminating at the National Stadium.  Currently, the electric train fare starts at 15 baht and increases to a maximum of 44 baht for the entire route.

 

BEM or Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc, a private transport company, operates two metro lines and expressways. 

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/proposal-to-cut-electric-train-fare-to-15-baht-flat-rate-is-nothing-new/

 

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2019-07-26

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They could perhaps install single ticket booths with face recognition, to distinguish Farang from Thai and calculate the trip price accordingly. 15 baht Thai, 50 baht Farang.

A proposal is like a fart...they stink for a minute then soon vanish...Next...

The train Pattaya→Bangkok cost 34b about 150km. What you get for that in Bangkok? Maybe 5km ride with Skyway or Subway.

1 hour ago, Da Nang said:

The train Pattaya→Bangkok cost 34b about 150km. What you get for that in Bangkok? Maybe 5km ride with Skyway or Subway.

MRT, train station to Chatachuk is 21bht for me (senior fare).

Like it's not over crowded already.

11 hours ago, webfact said:

It was always dropped as an idea because it could not be implemented without a heavy government subsidy, the source of which would be taxes.

One source for funding might be the new Act on Land and Building Tax that should start  tax collection on 1 January 2020 (passed in November 2018 but delayed until after elections). The new tax is designed to

• decrease income disparity,
• improve and encourage land use,
• increase efficiency in tax collection, and
• increase public revenue.

https://globalcompliancenews.com/new-property-tax-thailand-20181129/

Using the new tax proceeds in part for a "heavy" government subsidy for electric train fare seems ideal.

My overall point is that funding sources for subsidies can be found.