Bangkok:The Cabinet has approved measures to reduce fares for mass transit electric trains, setting rates between 17 to 45 baht for the duration of 2027. This initiative aims to alleviate the cost of living for the public by implementing a unified fare system across the mass transit rail networks in Bangkok and surrounding areas.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, Ms. Ploytalay Laksmisangchan, stated that the Cabinet's decision follows a proposal from the Ministry of Transport. The approved measures will ensure that the initial entry fee for the mass transit system will not exceed 17 baht, while the maximum fare per trip will be capped at 45 baht, with no duplicate entry fees. This fare structure will be in effect from January 1 to December 31, 2027, as per the resolution of the Policy Driving Committee's meeting on October 21, 2026.
The Cabinet also acknowledged the estimated expenses for implementing this integrated fare scheme, projected at 5,807 million baht, which includes fare compensation and transaction fees. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP) has been tasked with requesting the necessary budget allocation from the 2027 fiscal year's central budget to subsidize the public under this scheme. Additionally, agencies such as the Department of Rail Transport and the Mass Transit Authority of Thailand will expedite the plan's implementation.
Furthermore, project-owning agencies like the Mass Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) are instructed to collect data on travel volume and revenue from the integrated fare structure. This information will help assess increased passenger volume and support negotiations on fare revenue sharing between operators and the government, with results to be reported to the Cabinet.