BANGKOK — Suriya Jungrungreangkit, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, has reiterated the government’s plan to introduce a 20-baht flat fare for all color-coded metro lines by September 2025. This initiative is aimed at making public transportation more affordable and accessible to Bangkok residents.
Currently, the flat fare policy applies only to the Purple Line, which links Tao Poon and Khlong Bang Phai, and the Red Line, covering the Bang Sue–Rangsit and Bang Sue–Taling Chan routes. These lines have seen positive feedback from the public, with many commuters benefiting from the lower fares. The government now intends to expand this policy to cover all metro routes across Bangkok, ensuring fairer pricing for all users.
To solidify this commitment, the Ministry of Transport plans to propose an extension of the 20-baht fare policy, which is set to expire on November 30, 2024, to the Cabinet for approval. In parallel, the ministry is drafting the Joint Ticketing System Management Act, which is currently under review by the Council of State. Once enacted, the legislation will establish a Joint Ticketing System Promotion Fund to finance the flat fare scheme, covering costs such as revenue sharing for the Blue Line, contributions from the Energy Conservation Fund, and allocations from the national budget.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, the Transport Ministry is also studying ways to secure long-term funding for the flat fare policy. This includes the creation of an infrastructure fund designed to raise 200 billion baht over 30 years. The fund would be used to repurchase metro line concessions, thereby enabling the government to regulate pricing more effectively.
In addition to the flat fare policy, the government is considering the introduction of a congestion charge for key roads in Bangkok, such as Sukhumvit Road, Silom Road, and Ratchadaphisek Road. The revenue from this charge would be funneled into the infrastructure fund, offering a potential return on investment for contributors. The congestion charge, modeled after successful schemes in countries like the United Kingdom, aims to reduce traffic and pollution, as well as encourage greater use of public transport.
The government plans to hire consultants to study both the congestion charge and the budget needed to buy back metro concessions. Detailed plans are expected to be finalized by mid-2025, giving the government time to adjust policies before the metro flat fare is fully implemented.
In addition to his statement, Suriya underscored the importance of these measures for Bangkok’s long-term sustainability. He emphasized that the flat fare policy, in conjunction with the congestion charge, would not only alleviate traffic but also contribute to reducing PM2.5 dust levels in the city, improving the quality of life for all residents. He added that this ambitious public transportation reform aligns with Thailand’s broader environmental goals.
A number of high-level officials attended the announcement, which took place at the Ministry of Transport on October 16, 2024.
