Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has given Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) one month to determine whether air-conditioned bus fares can be reduced.
If possible, it is believed the reduced rates will likely be between 10 and 15 baht per trip, down from 15 and 25 baht.
Whether rates can be reduced has not been determined, but Mr Saksayam said on Wednesday he wants the BMTA, which operates city buses, to try and see if it can do so soon to “help the people and ease their living costs”.
At present, passengers are required to pay more than 15 baht if they have to travel a long distance.
Mr Saksayam also wants transport officials to figure out how much the BMTA can cut fares as acting Land Transport chief Chirute Visalachitra has insisted a fare adjustment must not adversely affect the BMTA’s earnings.
The debt-ridden agency is shouldering around 100 billion baht in debts and has been given a rehabilitation plan to deal with its financial woes.
A flat rate of 10 or 15 baht is just an “example,” Mr Chirute said, stressing the new fare needs to be considered carefully.
Deputy BMTA chief Prayoon Choygeo said he has submitted an initial proposal on the new fare to state agencies for consideration, but what the final rate should be has yet to be concluded.
The Land Transport Commission will have the final say, he said.
Mr Saksayam also gave the BMTA one month to study recommendations on its rehabilitation plan devised by the National Economic and Social Development Council.
Among issues the government think tank wants the BMTA to pay heed to are new bus acquisitions and public debt management.
“All figures must be made clear and available for public scrutiny,” Mr Saksayam said.
The rehabilitation plan will be forwarded to the cabinet for approval, which will enable the BMTA to begin following it in March next year.
Under the plan, the BMTA will gradually replace its ageing fleet of 2,188 vehicles with 400 natural gas vehicle (NGV) buses and 300 hybrid buses under leases.
It will also buy 1,453 hybrid buses and 35 electric-powered ones.
The BMTA tested two electric buses supplied by different companies in June 2015 and August last year. It began a new trial on Wednesday, using a bus provided by another company, Thai Electric Vehicle Co.
The 24-seat bus can cover 200 kilometres per charge and will be in service until Oct 18, according to Mr Prayoon.