Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha admitted today (Wednesday) that neither the government nor the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) can shoulder the financial burden of prolonging the freeze on fares on the Green Route train service.
Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang ordered the postponement of the fare increase, to a maximum of 104 baht from February 16th for the entire route, after protests from commuters and the Consumers’ Protection Foundation, claiming that the rise will increase the burden on commuters already hit hard the by economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although 104 baht seems expensive for commuters in general, the prime minister said that the majority may only travel on certain sections of the route.
He sought understanding about the financial burdens on City Hall and the government, saying that they are all trying to solve the fare problem.
He insists that the government has always made public and government interests a priority in trying to solve issues concerning infrastructure investment.
The current fare issue has dragged on for a long time and it must be resolved, he stressed.
