The Transport Ministry is considering raising public transport fares after fuel prices were restructured to reflect real costs.
Public transport operators are demanding higher fares after gas prices were floated in line with the government's policy of eliminating energy subsidies, according to Matichon Online.
The ministry is studying the impact of the restructured energy prices on public buses, vans, as well as pickup trucks and motorcycles for hire, said deputy minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
The result will be submitted to the minister in January and subsequently to the Central Land Transportation Committee for approval, he said.
The study will take into account the fuel used by each type of vehicles and past fare-hike statistics.
Operators complementing the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)'s bus services have sought fare hikes by two baht to 10 for non-air-conditioned buses and two baht for each section of air-conditioned buses' routes, said leader Pattarawadi Klomcharoon.
The proposed price increases will reflect their real costs and the NGV price.
"The BMTA hasn't increased fares since 2008, incurring losses for us. Our real costs are 4600 baht per bus per day but we can collect only 3,600 baht in fares.
"If the ministry does not approve the fare hikes, it should consider subsidising the NGV price for us to help ease our burden", she added.