The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) has submitted a proposal to extend Thailand’s 20-baht maximum fare policy across all electric train lines, with government approval anticipated by the end of May 2025.
The move aims to make urban transport more affordable and accessible, following earlier pilot schemes that showed increased ridership.
DRT director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks announced on May 12 that the second phase of the fare cap policy had been presented to the Ministry of Transport for further action. Should the cabinet approve the measure as expected, state agencies will enter negotiations with private train line operators to adjust existing contracts in line with public-private partnership regulations.
The proposal outlines a system-wide application of the 20-baht fare cap, covering both single-line and multi-line journeys. The policy will operate through a discount mechanism for eligible users, ensuring passengers pay no more than 20 baht per trip regardless of distance or line transfers. To qualify, commuters must register through the government’s “Tang Rat” app and use either EMV contactless payment cards or stored-value cards such as the Rabbit card.
The Digital Government Development Agency (DGA) has been tasked with fast-tracking a Central Clearing House (CCH) system to manage payments and integrate with the Tang Rat application. Registration for the programme is expected to open in August, with a full rollout scheduled for September 30. The scheme will initially run for one year.
This expansion follows a trial phase launched on October 16, 2023, on the MRT Purple Line and the SRT Red Line. The Red Line reported a 50% increase in daily ridership, growing from 20,000 to 30,000 passengers, while the Purple Line recorded a rise of approximately 10,000 passengers daily. Although the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) estimated an annual revenue drop of 56–60 million baht, it expects the increase in ridership to offset the losses within two years.
According to Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit, the expanded fare cap will allow unlimited transfers across electric rail lines for a flat fee by the end of September, pending passage of the joint ticketing system management law currently under review in the House of Representatives.
Additional details were shared by DRT director-general Pichet Kunadhamraks, along with representatives from the MRTA and the DGA, during recent public briefings.
