Thailand's Affordable Electric Train Service, Priced at 20 Baht, Scheduled for October Debut
The Thai government, in collaboration with the Bangkok Governor, is set to implement a groundbreaking 20-Baht electric train fare policy starting October 1, 2025. This initiative aims to make urban travel more affordable and accessible for millions, garnering significant public support and leading to a continuous rise in passenger numbers.
A crucial meeting on July 18, 2022, involving Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt, their respective teams, and private concessionaires, discussed the implementation of this policy.
The policy will cover eight lines and 13 routes within the Bangkok metropolitan area and its surrounding provinces, spanning a combined distance of 276.84 kilometres and encompassing 194 stations.
To ensure fair compensation for train service providers, the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will transfer its accumulated revenue to the Ministry of Finance after the Joint Ticketing Act is amended. These amendments, necessary for compensating operators under the new flat 20-Baht cap, are scheduled to be submitted to Parliament by August 7, 2025.
Once established, the Joint Ticketing Promotion Fund, as it will be known, will be managed by the Ministry of Finance, which will receive transferred revenue from the MRTA and compensate private train service operators for fare revenue losses caused by the flat 20-Baht cap. Compensation will be calculated based on actual passenger numbers, and officials express confidence that sufficient funds will be available to sustain the scheme.
Citizens can register for the fare benefit in August 2025 via the "Thang Rat" government application by linking their national ID with a credit, debit, or Rabbit Card. Eligible cards will automatically receive the fare benefit once registration is confirmed.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has also been tasked with developing feeder services, involving deploying buses on short-distance routes to pick up and drop off passengers along the electric train lines, further enhancing the integrated public transportation system in Bangkok.
This policy marks a significant step towards making urban travel more affordable and accessible for the public in Thailand. Stay tuned for more updates as the legislative process unfolds.
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- The automotive industry may experience a shift as the Thai government's 20-Baht electric train fare policy encourages more people to use public-transit.
- Financial institutions are expected to play a vital role in the successful implementation of this policy, as they will need to facilitate transactions for the government's "Thang Rat" application.
- The finance ministry will manage the Joint Ticketing Promotion Fund, created to compensate private train service operators for potential losses due to the flat 20-Baht cap.
- The travel industry could see an increase in foreign tourists visiting Bangkok, given the affordability and accessibility of urban transportation via the new electric train fare policy.
- The sport and entertainment sectors may benefit from the improved transportation infrastructure, making it easier for fans to attend events in the Bangkok metropolitan area and surrounding provinces.
