The Consumer Council will propose that the cabinet cap train fares on the Pink Line at Bt20, instead of between Bt20 and Bt45, as will be proposed by the Ministry of Transport.

Saree Aongsomwang, secretary-general of the Consumer Council, said today that the fares, proposed by the Transport Ministry, are equivalent to those charged on the Yellow Line light train system, which are considered too high for the consumers given the high cost of living.

She claimed that a study, conducted by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, shows that the operating cost of the train services ranges from 11-13 baht per trip per person, while the study by the Department of Rail Transport shows that the operating cost during the 30-year contract is 14.31 baht per trip per person on the heavy rail system and 11.67 baht per trip per person on the light rail or monorail system.

Based on those studies, Saree said that the Consumer Council will propose to the cabinet that the maximum fare on the Pink Line should be 20 baht, which is equivalent to the fares on the Purple Line and the Red Line suburban train.

She claimed that the 20-baht fare should cover the operating costs and provide some profit for the train operator, without the need for subsidies from the government, as the Pink Line passes through several zones containing schools, hospitals and communities.

The Pink Line is open to the public for a trial from run today until December 18th. It is anticipated that about 100,000 passengers will use the service each day during the trial run and the number will drop to between 50,000 and 60,000 when the fare is imposed.

The Pink Line has 30 stations, from the Nonthaburi civic centre to Min Buri. It connects with the Red Line suburban train at Lak Si station and with the Green Line at Wat Phra Sri Mahathat station, which is not yet open. The trial run is open from 6am to 8pm.