Green Line could be a tough ride for Chadchart

[webfact]

 

Managing the controversial Skytrain Green Line shrewdly, bogged down as it is by controversies over high fares, court battle over debt and extension of concession, is going to be a major test for newly elected Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt.

 

The high fares of mass transit services in Bangkok have been largely blamed for lower and lower-middle-income groups having only limited access to the facilities. Not only consumers, but even academics have for long complained about the fares.

 

Before the 2019 general election, politicians had promised lower fares and better services, but so far, the coalition government led by PM General Prayut Chan-o-cha has not delivered on its promise.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/green-line-could-be-a-tough-ride-for-chadchart/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2022-06-14

 

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[Burma Bill]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

controversial Skytrain Green Line

How many of you can remember London Transport's Green Line from many years ago??

 

[AgMech Cowboy]

59 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

How many of you can remember London Transport's Green Line from many years ago??

 

Were they running on a high wire? or tight rope?

[Sydebolle]

Well, he cannot be blamed for this - point the fingers upwards toward the Generalissimo! 

[warrima]

Getting the excuses in early then.

[tomazbodner]

22 minutes ago, warrima said:

Getting the excuses in early then.

He could just do double pricing like elsewhere. Thai 30 baht, Farang 300 baht. It's also quite doable. Normal price 300 baht, if you can show your Thai ID card, you get discount ticket like those for students, elderly, etc.

 

Follow me for more Thai style financial recommendations.

Edited June 14, 2022 by tomazbodner
Just kidding...

[Crossy]

9 minutes ago, tomazbodner said:

He could just do double pricing like elsewhere. Thai 30 baht, Farang 300 baht. It's also quite doable. Normal price 300 baht, if you can show your Thai ID card, you get discount ticket like those for students, elderly, etc.

 

Follow me for more Thai style financial recommendations.

 

BTS is already double-standard compared to the MRT.

• For the MRT if you are 60+ you can get an "elder" card for half fare travel (I have one).
• For the BTS you have to be 60+ AND Thai!

Not fair, and I say that knowing that many members know who I work for

 

On the flip side:-

• BTS give employees free travel.
• MRT give staff half fare. 

 

 

[onthedarkside]

9 minutes ago, Crossy said:

For the MRT if you are 60+ you can get an "elder" card for half fare travel (I have one).

Crossy, what's the MRT's eligibility criteria for that 60+ fare discount?

 

Valid for any 60+ farang?  Or, you have to have a work permit, tabien ban or some various type of Thai government ID in order to qualify?

 

 

[VocalNeal]

^ I simply went to the window (looking over 60), asked for a card and they gave me one without even asking for ID.

Edited June 14, 2022 by VocalNeal

[Crossy]

11 minutes ago, onthedarkside said:

Crossy, what's the MRT's eligibility criteria for that 60+ fare discount?

Valid for any 60+ farang?  Or, you have to have a work permit, tabien ban or some various type of Thai government ID in order to qualify?

 

Just show your passport indicating you are over 60 and ask for an "Elder" card.

 

EDIT If you already have an MRT+ card you will have to refund it and then buy a new card. There's a minimum balance that's refundable so, like me, you may have to add value to your exiting card, immediately refund it (no fee), then get your Elder card.

 

If they say not for farang let me know by PM which station and roughly when then try a different station (I still have contacts in BEM Operations who will "council" errant operators).

 

EDIT 2 Just to clarify for the BTS card, the Business Rules are set by BSS (Bangkok Smartcard System) who operate the Rabbit payment system and not by BTS themselves.

[VocalNeal]

If memory serves, Elder, remember.???? I got mine at Rama 9 station going into town.

[tomazbodner]

2 hours ago, Crossy said:

EDIT 2 Just to clarify for the BTS card, the Business Rules are set by BSS (Bangkok Smartcard System) who operate the Rabbit payment system and not by BTS themselves.

Our condo is developed by BTS (ok, ad Sansiri), so our door / lobby / lift access cards are Rabbit. We are located right in front of MRT station with no BTS for at least 5 km. Talk about convenience...

[CartagenaWarlock]

2 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Our condo is developed by BTS (ok, ad Sansiri), so our door / lobby / lift access cards are Rabbit. We are located right in front of MRT station with no BTS for at least 5 km. Talk about convenience...

Which condo? Do they have unit available for sale? 

[Crossy]

9 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Our condo is developed by BTS (ok, ad Sansiri), so our door / lobby / lift access cards are Rabbit. We are located right in front of MRT station with no BTS for at least 5 km. Talk about convenience...

 

And of course BEM (operators of the MRT) are resisting the government "requirement" for them to accept Rabbit cards (likewise BTS and MRT+ cards).

 

Both are likely to be gazumped by the current trend towards using contactless EMV (credit and debit) cards for transit applications.

[tomazbodner]

9 hours ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Which condo? Do they have unit available for sale? 

Many. Foreign quota is at below 10%.