Higher BTS fare is expected | Bangkok Post: news

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BTS Skytrain fare to rise

Published: 20 Feb 2013 at 18.25
Online news: Transport

The operators of the BTS Skytrain said Wednesday they may have to increase fares within two months to cover the expected hike in electricity costs because of the scheduled cuts in gas feeds from Myanmar.

Surapong Laoha-Unya, director and chief operating officer of the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), told reporters that 70% to 80% of the costs of the Skytrain are wages, electricity, and maintenance. The 300-baht minimum wage and the 10% hike in electricity costs have created a burden for the company.

The fare hike is necessary even though revenues during the BTSC's fiscal year which ends March 31 look likely to rise by 12-13%, on the back of 196 million passengers.

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djay
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Discussion 12 : 21 Feb 2013 at 07.3512
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Considering all of the problems BTS has maybe it is time for the government to step in and take charge. I can not believe I just said that, but maybe...
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bkk-farang
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Discussion 11 : 21 Feb 2013 at 07.0011
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Does anyone have reliable numbers how much profit the BTS makes?
I understand that building the BTS was a huge investment and running it is obviously also expensive.
Maybe the fare rise is really necessary to cover the cost and to be a profitable company.
Looking at the SRT (State Railway of Thailand) it is easy to see how the service could be if not enough money comes in.
Maybe the Bangkok governor and/or the Thai government should consider subsidizing the BTS. If they would have more trains and more cars maybe more commuters would switch from cars or busses. That would be good for everyone.
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tansri
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Discussion 10 : 21 Feb 2013 at 04.1210
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BTS is purely a commercial business and happens to have a monopoly at the moment. It will make use of every opportunity and excuse to maximize the profit. Most if not all of BTS staff are already paid above 300 baht a day. As and when the contract allows fare to increase it will. With all of this monopoly Sukhumbhand generously extended the contract 17 years before expiry date. What can we say when we had an elected governor working for the benefit of the company.
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Acutus
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Discussion 9 : 21 Feb 2013 at 00.519
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It is a good idea to increase the prices, actually. The best way is for BTS to double the prices. A simple calculation, double the prices and possibly lose half of the commuters but still earn the same amount of income. And of course, BTS will end up with more money in the bank because there will be wear and tear on the trains, the stations and the tracks, therefore, less maintenance, use less power, no need to increase the number carriages or put on more trains. BTS can also cut down the number of staffs as well.

Of course, with half of the commuters are history, there will be more seats available for me to choose from :-)
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barryw
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Discussion 8 : 20 Feb 2013 at 23.538
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'The company's lease allows it to set fares up to a maximum of 18 to 51 baht'. So why do I have to pay 55 baht from Udom Suk? This is on top of, as a 'guest' in the country, I am discriminated against and cannot receive the reduced fare given to elderly Thais.
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bonzo
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Discussion 7 : 20 Feb 2013 at 22.277
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Still haven’t figured out how to hook up five carriages yet? Here’s a clue: follow the big yellow arrows on the platform.
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phaethon
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Discussion 6 : 20 Feb 2013 at 21.596
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Costs for travelling on the BTS already went up by stealth with the introduction of the Rabbit card.

The current 35 Baht BTS fare plus 15B fine for us criminals who live beyond On Nut plus 60B taxi from the BTS to home makes it about the same, for one person, as taking a taxi all the way (110-120B). For two of us, as tonight, the saving is significant. So it doesn't look like I'll be paying the extra fare.

The only wrinkle is that we got lucky and found a taxi willing to go the whole way.

Most weeks I make the trip by bicycle - even cheaper!
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streetgecko
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Discussion 5 : 20 Feb 2013 at 21.115
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And to think Pongsapat is promising to cap fares at 20 baht...somewhere in an even stranger parallel universe.
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onlyme
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Discussion 4 : 20 Feb 2013 at 20.564
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As they say, the other shoe drops, what a surprise. Electricity goes up 10% so fares go up 25%. That should help the smiley boys running for governor with their free buses and reduced traffic campaign slogans.
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sibley
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Discussion 3 : 20 Feb 2013 at 20.493
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ok charge more but put on more trains, we are people we do not want to be treated like animals,
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