Bus Fares To Rise Soon

[george]

Bus fares to rise soon

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s bus fares will rise after the Songkran holiday period in mid-April, according to a senior transport official.

The fares of cross-province bus service are expected to be increased by Bt0.03 a kilometre, the Director General of the Department of Land Transport, Piyapan Champasut, told journalists on Tuesday.

The Transport Ministry would also allow a Bt1.0 increase in public bus fares charged by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

Deputy Transport Minister Adisorn Piengket is scheduled to discuss the details of the fare increases with the bus operators on 1 April.

The fare increases are expected to become effective from 1 May, after the Songkran festival in mid-April, said Mr. Piyapan.

Thais usually spend a long-period Songkran holiday travelling.

Most labourers in Bangkok also return home during Songkran--the traditional Thai New Year.

Any bus operators who try to take advantage of passengers by increasing their fares in advance will face a fine of up to Bt50,000 each, while the bus drivers will face a Bt5,000 fine each, he said.

The government has launched a campaign to reduce road accidents during the forthcoming Songkran festival.

The campaign has also urged drivers to check their cars at service centres.

--TNA 2005-03-30