Transport Ministry Proposes 45-Baht Cap for 8 Train Lines
Thailand's Transport Ministry has approved a unified fare cap of 45 baht for eight Bangkok electric train lines, targeting a January 2027 launch. The scheme covers the Red, Airport Link, Blue, Purple, Yellow, Pink, Green, and Gold lines, with an initial fare of 17 baht and free transfers. The first-year cost is estimated at 5.85 billion baht, pending Cabinet approval.
The Ministry of Transport is pressing ahead with a unified fare measure for eight electric train lines, capping the maximum fare at 45 baht per trip, aiming for a January 1, 2027 start to reduce the public's cost of living. Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn chaired the Electric Train Fare Policy Committee meeting on October 21, 2024. The meeting approved the principle of a joint fare structure for eight lines covering the Red Line, Airport Rail Link, Blue Line, Purple Line, Yellow Line, Pink Line, Green Line, and Gold Line, targeting implementation on January 1, 2027. Preliminary guidelines set the initial fare at no more than 17 baht and the full-route maximum at 45 baht per trip, with no repeat initial fare charged when transferring between lines. The scheme covers Thai citizens who register via the Paotang application and pay with EMV contactless cards. The matter must proceed through the required steps and be submitted to the Cabinet for further consideration, based on the principle of not altering existing concession agreements.
The Ministry estimates the first year of implementation will require a total budget of 5.85 billion baht, comprising 5.785 billion baht for fare subsidies and 65 million baht for refund transfer fees. It plans to request funding from the central budget's emergency reserve for fiscal year 2027, as the Joint Ticket System Promotion Fund is still drafting related regulations and has not yet received seed capital.
Additionally, the meeting considered extending the daily pass measure for the Red Line and Purple Line from the original expiry of November 30, 2024 to December 31, 2025, and will propose this to the Ministry of Transport and the Cabinet for approval.
Cumulative data as of August 2024 shows that since the measure began on December 1, 2023, average daily passengers using EMV contactless cards on the Red Line increased by 89.01% to 9,460 trips, and on the Purple Line by 135.41% to 27,653 trips. Combined, the two lines average 37,113 trips per day, up 121.54%, while average daily fare revenue rose by 212.43% and 275% respectively.
Regarding the restructuring of the electric train network administration, the meeting reviewed a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transfer the Green Line, including its main and extension sections, as well as the Gold Line, from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) for integrated network management. The draft MOU passed legal sub-committee review on October 19, 2024, and will proceed through legal steps before Cabinet submission.
At the same time, the Ministry of Transport is preparing to establish a working group to monitor and evaluate the electric train fare policy, along with guidelines for contract restructuring and weekly progress reports, to ensure readiness in the joint ticket system, fare setting, and network management in line with targets.
