15b fare planned for electric train

People enter a Blue Line train during a trial run between Sanam Chai and Tha Phra stations on Thursday. The stations are part of the Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae MRT extension, which will be opened to the public on July 29 to commemorate His Majesty the King's birthday. (Photo by Patipat Chanthong)
People enter a Blue Line train during a trial run between Sanam Chai and Tha Phra stations on Thursday. The stations are part of the Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae MRT extension, which will be opened to the public on July 29 to commemorate His Majesty the King's birthday. (Photo by Patipat Chanthong)

The government has affirmed its intention to charge electric train passengers a flat fare of 15 baht per ride.

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) governor, Pakapong Sirikantaramas, said the 15-baht flat fare is possible if the government agrees to subsidise private operators of electric rail routes to cover their operating costs.

Mr Pakapong agreed the proposed rate will help bring down commuting costs for many people.

He said passengers will also be allowed a free ride for two months on the MRT's new five-station stretch, from Wat Mung Korn to Tha Phra during the two-month test run starting July 29.

Other new stations on the extension are Sanam Chai, Sam Yot and Isra Phab. 

As for complaints about high fares on the Green Line of Bangkok's electric rail system -- better known as the BTS Skytrain -- he said the MRTA is working together with the Department of Rail Transport to solve the matter.

Learn from listening

Click play to listen to audio for this story, or download to save the file
: :

Vocabulary

  • commuting: regularly traveling between work and home - เดินทางระหว่างบ้านและที่ทำงาน
  • complaint: when someone says that something is wrong or not satisfactory - การบ่น, ข้อที่ไม่พอใจ
  • flat fare: a single price for a complete journey -
  • stretch (noun): a straight part of a journey - ช่วง
  • subsidise: to pay part of the costs of something - ให้ความช่วยเหลือด้านการเงิน

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