Bangkok rail fares capped at 20 baht by March 2026

[webfact]

 

The government is set to implement a 20-baht fare cap across all of Greater Bangok’s rail network by March 2026, Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit announced yesterday.

 

Suriya confirmed the decision following a meeting with the Common Ticketing System Policy Committee. The committee approved the plan to impose a 20-baht limit on ticket prices throughout Bangkok’s rail network and has instructed all relevant agencies to adhere to this commitment.

 

This announcement comes after the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy Planning (OTP) approved the draft of the Common Ticketing System Management Act.

The minister emphasised that the initiative aims to make the rail network more accessible to all residents of Bangkok.

Following the committee’s recommendations, the OTP will make the necessary changes before the ministry submits the draft to the Cabinet for further review and endorsement.

 

“The act should be ready by 2025.”

 

Additionally, the ministry has directed the committee to establish a fund to support the operational development and promotion of the scheme.

 

Suriya expressed hope that the 20-baht fare cap would be in place by March 2026 to help reduce transportation and living costs for residents.

 

The meeting also reviewed OTP’s study on various common ticketing systems for Bangkok and its surrounding areas. The study explored different fare structures and fare collection methods, reported Bangkok Post.

 

In related news, the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) proposed two options for the construction of a dual-track railway between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima, assuring locals that the Simathani Bridge will not be demolished. The meeting, held at the Ministry of Transport, aimed to finalise plans and address concerns.

 

In other news, Thailand and Laos are poised to inaugurate a new railway network connecting Bangkok and Vientiane, with a trial run scheduled for later this month, as announced by the SRT. The initiative is set to improve connectivity for travellers and facilitate the movement of goods between the two nations, positioning Thailand as a key logistics hub in the region.

 

by Puntid Tantivangphaisal

Photo courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-14

 

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[Mr Meeseeks]

34 minutes ago, webfact said:

Suriya expressed hope that the 20-baht fare cap would be in place by March 2026 to help reduce transportation and living costs for residents.

 

Rapid transit, rapid action! 😂

[kingstonkid]

How do they plan on funding the operational and maintenance

  I am seeing a 10k baht promise.

 

You can't increase riders on the main line 

Edited June 14 by kingstonkid

[Metapod]

my guess is they increase the lower fares up to drop down the cost of the longer fares. they might just do a flat 20thb regardless of distance in this case.

 

[Bangkok Barry]

 

And the money to maintain and run the system will come from.....?

[Cabradelmar]

2026... might as well be 2036 given the way this government regularly reverses course. Smells like a bogus promise so people will start liking the PM more.