The public will be able to use all train and public bus services in Bangkok for free from tomorrow until January 31 as a short-term measure to reduce traffic and reduce airborne pollution in the capital.
Pollution in the city is at the Red (unhealthy) level in 48 out of its 50 districts, with the remaining two at the Orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups) level. Today, the average PM2.5 concentration is 88.4µg/m³, according to the Air Quality Information Centre of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.
Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit said that Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is currently attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, ordered the Transport Ministry to coordinate with other state and private agencies, including BTS, MRT and BEM, to ease air pollution in the city by providing free rides.
He said that a budget of about 140 million baht will be allocated from the Central Fund to compensate the three urban train service operators for the one-week free services.
Suriya believes that the free rides will increase the number of train commuters by 30% during the 7-day period, adding that the Transport Ministry will reassess the air pollution situation to determine whether the free service period should be extended.
Moreover, eight additional vehicle exhaust checkpoints will be set up in the Rangsit, Khlong Toei, Chatuchak, Min Buri, Bang Khun Thian and Rangsit-Nakhon Nayok areas, said the minister.
