BANGKOK — Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, Surasak Jeungrungreangkit, announced plans to establish a dedicated working group aimed at expediting the implementation of a flat fare policy for Bangkok’s electric trains, capping the price at 20 baht per ride. This initiative is set to be fully operational by September 2025, with the goal of alleviating the cost of living for residents.
Since October 16, 2023, the Ministry of Transport has been piloting this policy on two electric train lines: the Red Line commuter trains (connecting Bang Sue to Rangsit and Bang Sue to Taling Chan) and the MRT Purple Line (from Tao Poon to Bang Yai). The trial has proven successful, with a steady increase in passenger numbers on these routes.
To ensure the broader rollout of the flat fare system, Surasak emphasized the need for a working group to manage and accelerate various aspects of the plan. This includes pushing forward legislation related to a unified ticketing system and securing funds for its implementation. Key to this process is the passage of the draft bill on integrated ticketing, which must be enacted by September 2025 to support the policy and address constraints posed by existing concession agreements. However, the legislative process may face delays due to recent government changes, with a potential one-month setback anticipated.
Surasak acknowledged the lengthy process required for each piece of legislation, including reviews by the Office of the Council of State, which estimates a four-month review period. He expressed concern about meeting the policy deadline but noted that the Council has committed to expediting the process. Following the Council’s review, the draft must be approved by the Cabinet, then the House of Representatives and the Senate, before being promulgated as law.
The Deputy Prime Minister expressed confidence that the 20-baht fare policy for all train lines will be in place by the targeted date. The Department of Rail Transport has projected that implementing the policy across all lines will require approximately 8 billion baht annually, or around 16 billion baht over the next two years. Initial funding will be sourced from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand’s (MRTA) revenue from the Blue Line project, with a reserve of approximately 15 billion baht.
Additionally, alternative funding sources, such as the Energy Conservation Fund, are being explored. The Ministry of Transport has verified with the Council that these funds can be used, though issues arise if the integrated ticketing bill is not enacted in time. Without the new legislation, funds from MRTA would be restricted to supporting only MRTA-managed lines and could not be used for the Green Line, which is overseen by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).
Surasak concluded that the working group will be critical in addressing any issues that arise and ensuring the timely enactment of the necessary legislation. He pledged to address any obstacles personally to keep the implementation on track.
