Subway Fare Hike Takes Effect, Passenger Number Hasn't Dropped

[george]

Subway fare hike takes effect, passenger number hasn't dropped

BANGKOK: -- Passengers began to pay more Saturday when the new fare hike of Bangkok's underground train system took effect.

But the number of passengers using the subway system appeared not to have dropped, according to TNA reporter who cited information from the subway's operator.

Bangkok Metro Co., Ltd. (BMCL), the operator of the city's subway system, announced last Monday that the company would raise the underground train fares from Bt14-36 to Bt15-39, taking effect from August 5.

The subway fare rise was approved by the cabinet on July 3.

However, the company was required to announce the new fare hike to the public one month before the new fare was to be officially imposed.

BMCL said the company would, nevertheless, offer a 15-30 per cent discount for students and people using monthly coupons.

--TNA 2006-08-06