Transport Ministry, public transport operators to discuss fare hike
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Sept 22 – Thailand’s transport minister will meet private and public transport operators late this month to discuss their planned adjustment of fares.

The operators plan to increase their fares as the government is expected to raise prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas for vehicles (NGV) next month.

Transport Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said he would hold a workshop with representatives from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) and the Transport Co. on September 27 and would also discuss land transportation problems with them.

ACM Prajin told journalists that discussions would also focus on a plan by the MRT subway to increase its fares next month.

The ministry wants the MRT to delay its plan for as long as possible, or at least by the end of 2014 so that it would not cause hardship to the public, he said.

Regarding taxi drivers’ demand to raise taxi fares, the minister said he would invite taxi operators for a discussion after the September 27 workshop.

Representatives of the Energy Ministry and PTT Pcl will also be invited for discussions because the issue is directly related to energy prices.

The government plans to adjust LPG price in the transportation sector so that it reflects the actual production cost.

The LPG price in the transport sector has been cheaper than for the household sector since April, making consumption in the transportation sector higher by 10 per cent than before. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-22

Quite frankly what can the government do , if they dictate a price structure they endanger these business , governments are in the business of governing not setting free trade price , now you see what happens when you interfer, all you are doing is sticking your nose in as a populist policy , this is only the start, wait till all those other prices you have set don't work out, oil , gas petroleum operates on world pricing parity as you well know, go out of that pricing structure and you will get your nuts cut out big time , If you don't believe, ask Thaksin Shinawatra and his total stuff up on energy prices.

Fare increase cannot.

It does not return happiness to Thai people, which is against Prayuth's policies.

The very same minister, who wants to reduce the number of cars in Bkk with 30%.

Sure a fare-hike on public transport is not the way to go??

On the other hand, I understand, that the operators of public transport can not work for nothing, so what about subsidising the fuel only to the public transport sector?

Or is that too simple??