Transport officials will weed out passengers travelling on Bangkok's subsidised transport who the government says are earning too much to travel for free.
The change, taking effect on Aug 1, was prompted by a study which found 41% of the free-bus commuters were not the low-income earners targeted by the scheme, introduced in 2008, transport permanent secretary Soithip Traisuth said yesterday. Figures for passengers travelling on the free train service are slightly better, with the study showing 63% of passengers fall into the low-income bracket.
The cabinet allocated 4.6 billion baht to the policy in late 2014. Under the new criteria, only certain groups can legally travel free on subsidised buses and trains.
Elderly people (those aged over 60), children, veterans and monks can ride free of charge. Low-income earners, students and the unemployed will pay half the typical bus or train fare. "We have five months left to discuss with labour officials how to issue cards to low-income earners to identify their status," Ms Soithip said, adding their monthly income should not exceed 2,422 baht.