The Ministry of Transport is poised to present a significant proposal to the Cabinet, advocating for a unified 20 baht fare across the city’s metro lines in the coming week. The prospective fare adjustment is anticipated to be initially implemented on the Purple and Red metro lines, vital arteries that traverse Bangkok and its adjacent provinces.
Under this proposed fare restructuring, commuters will enjoy a flat fare of 20 baht when traveling on specific segments of the metro network. The envisaged route spans from Tao Poon to Khlong Bang Phai stations along the MRT Purple Line. Additionally, the alteration is set to encompass the Bang Sue – Taling Chan and Bang Sue – Rangsit branches of the SRT Red Line commuter rail. However, this streamlined fare system will initially cater to passengers employing contactless credit or debit cards for their transit transactions.
Pending the Cabinet’s approval, the newly proposed fare structure could be swiftly introduced, delivering immediate benefits to passengers. Moreover, the plan includes provisions for seamless single fare transfers between these interconnected lines, enhancing the overall transit experience.
Looking ahead, the Ministry of Transport envisions extending this uniform fare scheme across all metro lines within a span of two years. This ambitious goal hinges on collaborative negotiations with private operators, illustrating a concerted effort towards enhancing commuter convenience and encouraging public transit use.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit shed light on additional strategic initiatives within the transport sector, specifically highlighting the prospective Chumphon – Ranong land bridge project. This visionary endeavor seeks to establish an essential transport corridor linking the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea in the southern region, potentially revolutionizing regional connectivity and trade dynamics.
Minister Suriya emphasized his directive to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) to accelerate comprehensive studies vital to the Chumphon – Ranong project. These studies, crucial to evaluating project feasibility and investment viability, are expected to conclude early next year. Importantly, the government’s funding approach for this transformative project envisions substantial private sector investment, with the government primarily supporting the expropriation process.
Concurrently, the Ministry of Transport is actively pursuing Cabinet approval for organized roadshows in foreign countries. These strategic outreach events aim to attract foreign investors to participate in the land bridge project, bolstering its financial and operational prospects.
