Bangkok —
On October 16th, 2023, Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Minister of Transport, publicly revealed after a Thai cabinet meeting a resolution to reduce electric train fares in Bangkok to a maximum of 20 baht on certain routes.
The Thai Minister of Transport enacted 20-baht electric train rides effective on October 16th, 2023, initially, the MRT Purple Line: Tao Poon – Khlong Bang Phai, and Red Line: Bang Sue-Rangsit and Bang Sue-Taling Chan.
The burden of rising living expenses due to the ongoing war in the Middle East affected the price of oil and directly affected car users. Therefore, The Minister of Transport expedited the process to reduce the cost of transportation and attract people to use public transportation. Moreover, it would alleviate a PM 2.5 problem with a “Transport Future for All” policy: For people, for society, for the environment, and for future generations.
Due to the in-process-development system, a cross-platform transportation fare between the Purple Line and the Red Line would need to be paid separately. The system and software reportedly would be fully operational within November 2023. The cross-platform transportation had to be within 30 minutes after the first train ride and EMV Contactless cards could be used only.
The Minister of Transport would assign a negotiation committee with the private sector to support the 20-baht electric train rides across Bangkok and surrounding areas within 2 years.
