Bangkok, “Department of Rail Transport” reveals measures to increase electric train fares to a maximum of 20 baht for a full day on the line. On the first day, there were more people using the Red Line and Purple Line, exceeding the target by almost 10%. Accelerating the implementation of the toll collection system connecting the two electric train lines is expected to open this November.

Mr. Pichet Thammarak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, revealed that after on October 16, 2023, the Cabinet resolved to approve in principle the implementation of measures for a maximum fare rate of 20 baht throughout the line in accordance with government policy. For the Red Line suburban trains, the Nakhon Withi Line (Bangkok Apiwat - Taling Chan) and the Thani Ratthaya Line. (Bangkok Apiwat - Rangsit) of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) and the Metro. Chalong Ratchadham Line (Purple Line) of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) as proposed by the Ministry of Transport.

Yesterday (Oct. 17), the Red Line and Purple Line implemented a maximum fare rate of 20 baht throughout the line in accordance with government policy for the first day all day. There are a total of 1,566,998 people using the rail system, including:

SRT intercity trains operate 213 trains with a total of 71,222 people-trips, divided into commercial trains, 25,050 people-trip, and social trains, 46,172 people-trip.

Electric trains in Bangkok and surrounding areas, 1,495,776 people-trip, consisting of

The Airport Rail Link offers 223 trips (including 8 additional trips) for a total of 69,285 people-trips.

The Red Line electric train provides 294 trips, running for 27,411 people-trips (including long-distance train passengers using the Red Line service for free, 254 people-trips).

The Chalong Ratchadham Line (Purple Line) provides 319 trips (including 3 additional trips), totaling 73,878 people-trips.

Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (Blue Line) provides 487 running trips (including 24 additional running trips), totaling 497,319 people-trip.

The BTS Green Line (Sukhumvit Line and Silom Line) provides 1,264 trips, with a total of 785,605 people-trips.

The BTS Gold Line provides 219 trips for a total of 5,240 people per trip.

The Yellow Line electric train provides 276 trips, with a total of 37,038 people-trips.

From the above information, it is found that after the implementation of the Red Line and Purple Line fare measures of up to 20 baht all day for the first day on October 17, 2023, there were 27,411 people using the suburban electric train service (Red Line). People-trip (including long-distance trains to the Red Line, 254 people-trip) and the MRT Chalong Ratchadham Line (Purple Line), 73,878 people-trip, compared to the average working day during 2-12 October 2023. In the past, before the measures were introduced, it was found that the Red Line increased from an average of 2,135 people-trip, or an increase of 8.45 percent (Red Line average 25,276 people-trip) and the Purple Line increased from an average of 3,138 people-trip. trips, or an increase of 4.44 percent (average of 70,740 people on the Purple Line - trips). In addition, it was found that there were users of the MRT. Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (Blue Line) number of 497,319 people-trip, an increase from the average of 26,973 people-trip or an increase of 5.73 percent (blue line average 470,346 people-trip) because there is a station connecting to Chalong Ratchadham Line (purple) at the station. lime kiln

The measure to adjust fares according to distance at a maximum fare rate of 20 baht is expected to create a total economic return of 79.35 million baht per month, or equivalent to 952.23 million baht per year, considered an economic return. and a worthwhile society

In addition, the Department of Rail Transport has coordinated with Krung Thai Bank and the electric rail system operators. Accelerate the process of improving the fare collection system. As for the connection between the MRT Purple Line and the Red Line Suburban MRT. You will need to transfer to the system at Bang Son Station within 30 minutes, and initially you will need to use the same ticket or EMV Contactless card only. In the beginning, if you cross the system, you will still have to pay the fare for each line first. Because at this time the system or software is being improved. It is expected that the service connecting the MRT Purple Line with the Red Line suburban train will be opened at a maximum rate of not more than 20 baht throughout the line within November 2023. - Thai News Agency

Source: Thai News Agency