The maximum ticket fare for the whole MRT Blue Line, including another two extensions to open next year and in 2020, will remain capped at 42 baht, Pakapong Sirikantaramas, governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) promised on Friday.
The MRTA chief was speaking to clear the air about talk of subway fare hikes that has worried the public.
To earn more revenue, the agency asked the cabinet to increase part of the fee for some stations. However, the cabinet rejected the request, saying the authority had not given enough time for the public to adjust to the proposed hike.
As per the contracts with the MRTA and Bangkok Expressway and Metro Plc (BEM), the concessionaire of the MRT Blue and Purple Lines, fare changes can be considered every two years, based on the consumer price indexes and inflation rates.
The MRTA had mulled raising the price last month. The hike would have lifted fares from two baht per station to three baht for each passenger's fifth, eighth and 11th station on their respective commute, while maintaining the price cap of 42 baht.
Mr Pakapong said on Friday the increase must receive approval from the cabinet.
The transit chief since early this week has taken the media to inspect construction of the Blue Line extensions.
The extensions, from Hua Lamphong to Bang Khae and Tao Poon to Tha Phra, would see the Blue Line's network expand from a current 18 stations on its Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong route to 38 stations, all of which will be located in Bangkok.
It has just been announced that the Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae extension could open at least one month ahead of schedule, by Aug 12 next year. It was originally scheduled to open by the end of next September, Mr Pakapong said construction is almost complete.
The Tao Poon-Tha Phra extension is scheduled to open in April 2020. Combined with the current Tao Poon-Hua Lamphong route, the Blue Line is set to be the first electric train line in the country with a circular route. An interchange station for the line will be located at Tha Phra station, in Bangkok Yai district.
The station will have four platforms for the Hua Lamphong-Bang Khae and Tha Phra to Bang Sue commute, set to be located on the third and fourth floors.