The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) may consider using its budget to subsidise train fares for the Green Line extensions, Bangkok governor MR Sukhumbhand Paribatra said.
He was speaking at the signing ceremony of a cooperation deal between the Transport Ministry, the BMA and the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA) to develop the 12.8km South Green Line extension from Bearing to Samut Prakan and the 18.4km North Green Line extension linking Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Kukot.
The deal authorises the BMA to manage the two extensions after their construction.
Samrong station on the South Green Line is expected to open either late this year or early next year.
It will be the first extension after Bearing station.
MR Sukhumband said passengers will not be charged for using the station for some time after it is opened.
The BMA will hire the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), which operates the skytrain lines in Bangkok, to run the extension service, he said, adding the move will help ensure continuity of the rail operation.
The BMA council's local budget could be used to subsidise the fares of the two extensions, he said, though this would also depend on the number of passengers.
He said it is estimated more than 100,000 commuters will use the extensions each day.
"The train fares for the Green Line extensions will be set in a fair manner for the people's maximum benefit," MR Sukhumband said.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the BMA has to use a common ticketing system, so passengers will be charged only once when they enter.
MRTA board chairman Yodyuth Boonyatikarn said the MRTA is responsible for the construction of the two extensions.
After the work is completed, he said, the extension lines will be handed over to the BMA.
The BMA will have to repay the 60-billion-baht construction cost to the MRTA, he added.