There has been a lot of talk about the BTS and the huge increase that the company wants to invoke.

 

The Thai government demanded that they run the extension form Mor Chit to Khu KHot at no cost and seems to think that this is a fare thing to do.

 

BMA is in arrears in payments to the company.  

 

The average person seems to feel that the fares should be lower not higher bt forget that these trains as well as everything that goes with them costs money for staff  and maintenance.

 

People also forget that the company that runs the BTS is in fact a public company with shareholders that are for the most part Thais as well.  It is also possible for the average Thai to see the profit loss records and annual statement of this company unlike the BMA or to a certain point other non capitalist partners.

 

Which choice do you think is fairest.

4. why should the BMA subsidise fares to other provinces (Samut Prakan, Patum Thani)?

The problem of course is that dozens of companies 'run' BTS, all jealous of each other's revenue. (Related: (a) is there a widely promoted map of the entire BKK public transport system? Of course not. (b) why is there no Octopus-style travel card across all modes?).

The point about a hike to (said reports) THB158 maximum brought bellows of protest from some of the vested interests, but in reality who would pay that? ie who would (regularly) travel to/from Khu Kot to Keha? If commuting, they would get off at (eg) Siam. That should be about half the maximum fare, and around 75-80 baht for such a journey is reasonable, in comparison to other capitals - but not in comparison to Thais' income (I mean the Thais that might ever use public transport, not the *wits running it).

Let the people riding it (myself included) pay for it. 

1 minute ago, mogandave said:

Let the people riding it (myself included) pay for it. 

Easy for you to say getting pension from first world country. Oh, let me guess, you rent a condo in thonglor 

1 minute ago, Pravda said:

Easy for you to say getting pension from first world country. Oh, let me guess, you rent a condo in thonglor 

 

So why not make it “free” for everyone?

17 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

There has been a lot of talk about the BTS and the huge increase that the company wants to invoke.

 

Do note that it's BMA not BTS that sets the fares on the extensions, BTS get paid (or don't at present) to operate the trains.

 

2 minutes ago, mogandave said:

 

So why not make it “free” for everyone?

 

How about a fare cinsung less than a daily minimum wage? 

 

How'd you feel paying 100 bucks a day fow a subway back home? 

1 hour ago, Pravda said:

 

How about a fare cinsung less than a daily minimum wage? 

 

How'd you feel paying 100 bucks a day fow a subway back home? 

 

What is wrong with making it free for everyone? 

 

If the “subway back home” were packed, i think they should raise the price.

 

 

 

 

To be clear, people earning minimum wage can’t afford a hundred a day any more than they can afford three-hundred.

So, the cost for Thais due to low wages is the concern?

So, make it free for Thais and charge tourists/foreigners.

But ah, that will bring out all the discrimination and double pricing complainers.

I find it inexpensive and reliable transportation for a major city don't mind paying at all better then a slow, hot smelly taxi any day.

 

1 hour ago, bkk6060 said:

So, the cost for Thais due to low wages is the concern?

So, make it free for Thais and charge tourists/foreigners.

But ah, that will bring out all the discrimination and double pricing complainers.

I find it inexpensive and reliable transportation for a major city don't mind paying at all better then a slow, hot smelly taxi any day.

 

 

And why not extend it to air travel? Why should first class only be available to the well-to-do? 

 

The government should subsidize airlines such that everyone gets to sit in first....