Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTSC) is ready to support the government’s policy to cap train fares at 20 baht on Bangkok’s suburban rail network, but on the condition that the government holds talks with the train operators about how it will help to shoulder the operating costs, BTSC CEO Keeree Kanjanapas said on Tuesday.
BTSC subsidiary, Northern Bangkok Monorail, was awarded the concession to operate the Pink Line, which is on trial runs from today until December 18th. BTSC also operates the Green Line sky train.
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin and Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit officiated at the opening of the Pink Line trial today. They rode non-stop from Min Buri to Wat Phra Sri Mahathat station, which took about half an hour.
The prime minister thanked BTS Group Holdings for providing Thailand with a convenient public transport system, beginning with the Green Line sky train service.
Keeree said that the company would like the train service to be affordable and is supportive of the government’s policy to cap train fares at 20 baht. He noted, however, that the government is yet to hold talks with the train operators on how they will be compensated if the fares are capped at Bt20, because the operators have already made their investments in the rail projects and expect to generate returns.
Keeree also expects the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to settle the huge debt, owed to BTSC for the installation of operating systems and the costs for operating the two extensions of the Second Phase of the Green Line, which have been operating without charging passengers for a couple of years.
The BMA plans to begin charging passengers a maximum of 20 baht on the two extensions from the middle of January, so it can generate revenues to enable it to repay its debt to BTSC.
Keeree said BTSC cannot interfere with the BMA in setting the fares or the timing of their imposition. Nevertheless, the company expects to receive payment for operating the two extensions to cover its investment and operating costs.
