Ministry Gives Nod To Ferry Fare Increase

[george]

Ministry gives nod to ferry fare increase

BANGKOK: -- The Maritime Transport and Commerce Department yesterday finally gave the nod to a Bt1-fare hike for commuter boats next month.

Operators of public express boats and ferries had called for an increase of Bt2 starting July 16. However, after meeting with director-general Tawalrat Onsira, they agreed to charge only Bt1 more for six months before the department considers the next fare increase.

“We have to go halfway otherwise the public will be in great difficulty,’’ Tawalrat said.

Chavalit Methayaprapat, who runs commuter boats on Saensab canal, said operators are eating 20 satang per passenger. The Bt1 will not help cover their cost.

“Oil prices continue to rise, but we are allowed to charge a fixed fare. If we cannot shoulder losses anymore, we will have to shut down,’’ he said.

Decha Ramchan, a company employee who works near a Skytrain station, said that although bus fares will go up only Bt1 on Friday, riders having to transfer buses will suffer.

“We are all affected whether we have a car or not. We have to manage our finances wisely otherwise we won’t be able to make ends meet,’’ he said.

He believes that the oil problem could turn into a full-blown crisis. “We have to plan our travelling and figure our finances to have enough savings. We don’t know how bad future economic collapses will be,’’ he said.

Krissana Thongrak, a writer for IT magazine Chit, said that although he commutes to work by Skytrain, he feels the pinch from soaring oil prices because other goods have also been marked up.

--The Nation 2005-07-07