Thai Cabinet rejects transport ministry's proposed termination of free bus-train ride scheme

[webfact]

Cabinet rejects transport ministry's proposed termination of free bus-train ride scheme



BANGKOK: -- The cabinet yesterday rejected a proposal of the transport ministry's proposal to end the free bus and train ride scheme and to introduce fare discount scheme instead.

Government deputy spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the rejection of the ministry’s proposal to end the free ride scheme and replace with the discount fare was based on its unclear classification of low income earners’ groups.

He said the cabinet then rejected the ministry’s discount scheme.

Under the ministry’s proposal, it sought cabinet approval to end the free ride scheme when it ends at the end of October this year.

But it proposed that free ride privilege will still be meant exclusively for the aged, the handicapped, war veterans, monks and nuns, and those who were granted rights for 50% discount.

For students not over Matayom Suksa 3 educational level, the ministry proposed they pay one-third of the fares, while those at higher levels and college or university students, they are required to pay two-thirds of the fares. But they are required to display student identification cards.

Besides the ministry also proposed that low income earners qualified for 50% discount must have earning of no more than 3,632 baht a month.

The deputy government spokesman said the cabinet viewed such proposal of low income earners’ earning was unclear if the earning figure was gathered in the capital or in the provinces.

The cabinet suggested that the ministry should have a better tool to clearly classify low income earners in rural and urban areas before coming up with new proposal to end the free ride scheme and introduce discount scheme.

The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October, he said.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/cabinet-rejects-transport-ministrys-proposed-termination-of-free-bus-train-ride-scheme


-- Thai PBS 2015-08-12

[bangkokfrog]

How on earth would you assess "low income earners" in Thailand when so many people work in the black economy and don't pay taxes, etc.

[Mango Bob]

Don't these people ever talk among themselves before announcing a decision like this and than be made of fool of in front of the whole country.

[ratcatcher]

Don't these people ever talk among themselves before announcing a decision like this and than be made of fool of in front of the whole country.

No, they don't. That would mean a loss of face if their idea was rejected.

You remember the old Abraham Lincoln saying about "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool..." well, Thais don't follow that rule.

[halloween]

Thailand has war veterans?

[saakura]

The yellow versus red war veterans?

Edited August 12, 2015 by saakura

[ChrisY1]

Don't these people ever talk among themselves before announcing a decision like this and than be made of fool of in front of the whole country.

Simple answer....No!

[JAG]

Were told that the railways are bust, (both financially and physically), and yet they are still offering free rides?

[Bulldozer Dawn]

If only more farangs used the rail. Then they wouldn't have to cut anything. They could just increase farang tickets tenfold like the National Parks did.

[Thai at Heart]

After all that....................

The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October, he said.

Buat hua, headache maak maak. Kee Giat kit.

[rubl]

Were told that the railways are bust, (both financially and physically), and yet they are still offering free rides?

Government project, taken over from the previous government.

I understand the current government is reluctant to totally scrap it as some TVF posters were very vocal about 'screwing the poor'. You may have forgotten since it's slightly more than two weeks ago.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843229-no-more-free-rides-for-bus-and-train-in-november/

[ksamuiguy]

Seniors, disabled, students, monks, nuns all should have discounts cards, and proper ID to back up the card.Most cities have them..

Even applies to Farangs with proper visas. Yes charge for the card and have a photo on the card.

Especially students, it could help the traffic situation.

Yes, Thailand has Veterans and they served and many serve proudly in many countries around the world.

[Bluespunk]

"The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October, he said."

It always was going to run until then. That's the schemes original end date.

[rubl]

"The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October, he said."

It always was going to run until then. That's the schemes original end date.

Not quite.

On 2015-07-25

"The termination of free bus and train services came as Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong proposed the extension if the free bus and train services for another three months when they expire end of this month."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843229-no-more-free-rides-for-bus-and-train-in-november/

So, the scheme was extended three months. At that time the scheme was supposed to be dropped after the extension and that may still happen. The cabinet suggested the Ministry of Transport comes with some clearer data on how to classify those who should be given discounts and how to administer / proof. End of October they may decide to extend another three months to give the MoT more time

[Eric Loh]

Were told that the railways are bust, (both financially and physically), and yet they are still offering free rides?

Government project, taken over from the previous government.

I understand the current government is reluctant to totally scrap it as some TVF posters were very vocal about 'screwing the poor'. You may have forgotten since it's slightly more than two weeks ago.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843229-no-more-free-rides-for-bus-and-train-in-november/

Rubi, think you mean previous governments. Ahbisit even proposed to make free rides permanent. Over zealous to demonize Yingluck?

[Bluespunk]

"The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October, he said."

It always was going to run until then. That's the schemes original end date.

Not quite.

On 2015-07-25

"The termination of free bus and train services came as Transport Minister ACM Prajin Juntong proposed the extension if the free bus and train services for another three months when they expire end of this month."

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843229-no-more-free-rides-for-bus-and-train-in-november/

So, the scheme was extended three months. At that time the scheme was supposed to be dropped after the extension and that may still happen. The cabinet suggested the Ministry of Transport comes with some clearer data on how to classify those who should be given discounts and how to administer / proof. End of October they may decide to extend another three months to give the MoT more time

Yes see that however the point I was making that the resolution they made at the end was no such thing as

"Under the ministrys proposal, it sought cabinet approval to end the free ride scheme when it ends at the end of October this year."

[Srikcir]

“Under the ministry’s proposal, it sought cabinet approval to end the free ride scheme when it ends at the end of October this year.”

“The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October”

So what exactly was accomplished? Nothing beyond October.

This is a do-nothing Cabinet. They all need to be replaced.

[rubl]

Were told that the railways are bust, (both financially and physically), and yet they are still offering free rides?

Government project, taken over from the previous government.

I understand the current government is reluctant to totally scrap it as some TVF posters were very vocal about 'screwing the poor'. You may have forgotten since it's slightly more than two weeks ago.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/843229-no-more-free-rides-for-bus-and-train-in-november/

Rubi, think you mean previous governments. Ahbisit even proposed to make free rides permanent. Over zealous to demonize Yingluck?

Did the Abhisit government really make 'free rides' available ? If no, what's your problem ?

BTW where do I demonise Yingluck in my post? I didn't even call her Mae Mot.

[rubl]

“Under the ministry’s proposal, it sought cabinet approval to end the free ride scheme when it ends at the end of October this year.”

“The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October”

So what exactly was accomplished? Nothing beyond October.

This is a do-nothing Cabinet. They all need to be replaced.

well the scheme was continue till end of July this year and then continued till end of October this year. If the cabinet did nothing the scheme would have ended last year already.

Edited August 13, 2015 by rubl