Bus firms demand a fare go

Bus firms demand a fare go

Bus operators are calling on the government to increase ticket prices as they struggle to cope with the rising cost of fuel.

Phattharawadi Klomcharoon, president of the Private Bus Operators Association, said members of her group will meet on Friday to discuss the price of natural gas for vehicles (NGV).

The Energy Policy Administration Committee has increased the cost of the fuel by 50 satang per kilogramme, effective yesterday. This brings the standard retail price of NGV to 13 baht per kg, while the subsidised price for public bus operators and taxi drivers is now 10 baht per kg. The discount price for bus companies was previously 8.50 baht per kg.

Ms Phattharawadi said most of the association’s members have converted their bus engines to run on NGV, adding that private operators of public bus services suffer disproportionately from fuel price hikes since they have higher running costs.

But the Energy Policy Administration Committee has said the price of NGV is still below the actual cost of the fuel, and should be between 15 and 16 baht per kg. More price rises are expected, it said.

Ms Phattharawadi said the association has asked the Transport Ministry to raise bus fares because its members have no way of absorbing the increased costs.

After holding a meeting of members, Ms Phattharawadi said the association will seek talks with Pongchai Kasemthawisak, deputy permanent secretary for transport. Mr Pongchai chairs the committee responsible for making the decision.

Ms Phattharawadi said that government subsidies go some way to supporting public bus operators. But she warned the NGV-subsidy programme has a ceiling of 30,000 baht per month for each operator, while running costs average about 50,000 baht per month.

After the latest fuel price hike, operation costs are expected to rise to 75,000 baht per month, she said.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT (1)