Consumer rights groups oppose BTS fare hike

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Consumer rights groups oppose BTS fare hike

By THE NATION

 

File photo

 

BANGKOK: -- Consumer networks have demanded that Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang put the brakes on plans by the BTS Skytrain to raise fares starting on October 1.

 

Transportation for All, the Independent Committee for Consumer Protection and the Foundation for Consumers issued the demand yesterday at a joint press conference.

 

“The fare hike should be suspended until BTS provides facilities at all of its stations,” the networks announced.

 

The networks added that BTS had not fully complied with the Supreme Administrative Court’s 2014 ruling that it must provide proper and designated spaces for wheelchair users on its trains. 

 

 

The groups also argued that they saw no reason for BTS to raise its fares given that its operating results have improved and the transit operator had reaped huge income from advertising, which is now highly visible in BTS trains and stations. 

 

BTS announced earlier this week that fares would rise by Bt1 to Bt3 per ride. The starting fare will increase to Bt16 from Bt15, while the maximum fare per ride will rise from Bt42 to Bt44. 

 

Since the fare-hike announcement, passengers have made loud complaints on social media. Commuters have objected to paying more than Bt200 a day for travel expenses between home and workplaces, adding that the fare increase would only add to their woes.

 

 

The consumers’ networks joined forces yesterday in calling Aswin to review the BTS plan to raise its fares. They pointed to Malaysia, where most people’s daily travel expenses do not exceed 10 per cent of the minimum daily wage. 

 

Because Aswin’s city administration granted the concession to BTS via its legal-investment arm, Krungthep Thanakom, the groups said the governor had the power to intervene. 

 

One Bangkok resident said the move to raise the fares would only make life harder for the salaried people who were its main customers. 

 

“They have limited income per month,” he said. 

 

Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said BTS should raise its fare only if its services became more reliable, safer and the system was equipped with sufficient facilities for all, including the disabled and elderly.

 

“But look at what has happened lately. The BTS is unreliable and frequently out of order, there’s too much voice pollution from loud advertisements onboard, and the service is still unfriendly for those who are physically challenged.” 

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30325451

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2017-09-01

[petedk]

That must be an old photo. I have never seen so few people on the BTS.

 

I feel sorry for the handicapped as life on the BTS must be very difficult for them. I think I have only ever seen 2 or maximum 3 wheelchairs use the BTS.

 

The BTS needs to improve its service or at least stop the decline. I used to enjoy taking the BTS every morning, but now it is not so much fun. I often can't get on and sometimes have to wait for the third train to come. They need to buy more trains now. Things will only get worse as they open the new lines.

 

There seem to be more and more stoppages, but the BTS don't make any announcements other than "due to overcrowding the train will be delayed". Yeah 30 minutes??? I waited in a train at Asoke recently and it stood on the platform for a good 20 minutes before I managed to squeeze my way off and take a motorcycle.

 

The voice pollution isn't so bad on the Sukhumvit Line but is very bad on the Silom Line. Why can't they lower the volume a little?

 

 

[tigermoth]

There are already long delays and overcrowding on the BTS. How do they propose to cope when the line opens to Samut Prakan in the near future, an addition of some dozen stops or more. Aleady on the morning and evening service one cannot get on the train and have to wait for the next and even if you can squeeze on they are dangerously overcrowded. Express trains will probably be their answer but this will involve risky and probably dangerous occurances such as collisions and derailments, particularly if they operate the timings like the current traffic lights are operated in the city. I suspect it has never been considered in the rush to make money.

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

This didn't used to happen at night but now from 8 pm to 11 pm, I find I'm having to let 1 or 2 trains go by before I can get on at Prom Pong on the way to Phra Khanong. The trains are packed mostly all day long, too. So revenues must be way up as more stations out east bring more people into the core. The BTS has become quite a miserable experience since last year. 

[tomacht8]

I am with the Consumer networks.
The service of the BTS has become worse because masses storm the system and you have to wait a long time for a sadine place.
A price increase with simultaneous deterioration of the transport quality i find impertinent.

[trogers]

Please! That's the best they can do. Not that there isn't any improvement. The one that is so obvious, they started with 3 train carriages, and 20 years later you get five.

 

I would probably have been cremated should they provide the full eight carriages.