SRT cannot afford to freeze third-class fares

COMMENTARY

SRT cannot afford to freeze third-class fares

Published: 10 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Playing with fire is safer than playing with train fares. That's why the issue of train fares is largely left untouched by transport ministers and railway chiefs.

The last time the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) hiked fares for third-class passengers was more than 10 years ago when diesel prices of around 30 baht per litre were unthinkable.

Fares for the third class are superficially low today. A ticket from Hua Lumphong to Bang Sue still costs 2 baht, and 5 baht to Don Muang. The fare from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, a 750 kilometre trip, still stands at 121 baht, excluding top-up charges.

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

jacksprat
Post : 2,449
Send message

Discussion 6 : 10 Dec 2012 at 21.116
Post this to my Facebook
The train service has definitely gone downhill from the years when I used to use it often. Still, I would much sooner trust my safety to the SRT than ride those top heavy upcountry buses, disasters simply waiting to happen.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
tbickle
Post : 4
Send message

Discussion 5 : 10 Dec 2012 at 18.285
Post this to my Facebook
From what I have heard from insiders is that the majority of the safety devices on SRT trains are not functioning as can be seen from the high number of accidents and derailments. Despite making huge losses, SRT has huge land holdings, particularly in Bangkok. The amount of under-utilized and unused lands in the center of Bangkok (extending from Makassan rail yards) is massive. It is now more of an asset holding company than a train company if you examine their balance sheet.

However, they clearly have no idea how to manage their finances as witnessed by the white elephant Makkasan rail-link station.
Like dislike 7 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
dao
Post : 4,647
Send message

Discussion 4 : 10 Dec 2012 at 15.434
Post this to my Facebook
The airport link could try providing parking for people who want to use it .It could also allow bikes on trains and lower its fares and forget about express trains .
Like dislike 6 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
Victor
Post : 1,304
Send message

Discussion 3 : 10 Dec 2012 at 14.453
Post this to my Facebook
The new governor of SRT is a new breed of manager and it is expected that he can make some change to this mammoth state agency. The money-loosing Airport Rail Link is another venture of the SRT that needs urgent remedy, and the first thing to do is to make it a real linkage with other modes of transport for easy access to all the stations along the route.
Like dislike 6 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
dao
Post : 4,647
Send message

Discussion 2 : 10 Dec 2012 at 09.172
Post this to my Facebook
Public transportation actually makes money in a lot of countries .The SRT is an extinct dinosaur .
Like dislike 17 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
barryw
Post : 797
Send message

Discussion 1 : 10 Dec 2012 at 07.201
Post this to my Facebook
There cannot be any other country in the world, surely, where it is much quicker to travel by road than by train. The railways in Thailand have suffered decades of neglect, to the extent that it now barely functions. The system needs a total, complete overhaul, to the extent of starting anew, and for that to be financed by the government as a public service.
Like dislike 21 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment

SRT cannot afford to freeze third-class fares | Bangkok Post: opinion