Bangkok Subway Fares Are On The Rise

[george]

Subway fares are on the rise

BANGKOK: -- Bangkok's underground train fares have risen by Bt 2-5 and will increase again next month.

The subway's new Bt 2-5 fare hike, from Bt 12-31 to Bt 14-36, is effective from October 1, according to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which oversees the subway system.

MRTA Governor Prapat Chongsa-nguan told journalists Saturday evening that the new fare rise was in line with a concessionary contract with the subway's operator, Bangkok Metro Co., Ltd. (BMCL).

"According to the concessionary contract, BMCL is to raise the underground train fares again in November. The new rates will be later announced to the public," Mr. Prapat said.

Passengers on Saturday expressed different views on the new fare rise.

Some told journalists when interviewed that they did not know the new fare rise in advance and were not prepared for it, saying public relations on the issue was insufficient.

The same group of passengers said they disagreed with the fare rise, claiming that consumers are already shouldering increasing costs of products due to oil price hikes and rising inflation.

The other group of passengers said, however, that the new fare rise was acceptable when compared to the subway's rapid services and journeys, which reduce their travelling time, especially during the rush hours when they are to face traffic congestion on the roads most of the time.

--TNA 2005-10-02