Bangkok considers ฿15 flat fare for electric bus fleet
Government approval and fare subsidies would be needed for the proposal, as the BMTA prepares to replace ageing buses.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is considering charging passengers ฿15 regardless of distance on its new electric buses, instead of planned fares of ฿15, ฿20 and ฿25. The proposal has not been approved and would depend on government agreement to subsidise fares.
BMTA director Kittikan Chomduang Jaruworapolkul told DailyNews that the authority would consider public feedback, acknowledging that some passengers would face higher travel costs. The electric fleet will replace older buses, including vehicles charging ฿8.
Bangkok previously announced plans to introduce 2,320 electric buses, with an initial 1,520 expected by May 2027. Kittikan said savings from electric operations could help contain costs, though the authority still had substantial financial obligations.
Among the options under consideration is a government subsidy covering the gap between the flat fare and the existing air-conditioned bus fare structure. The BMTA is also examining links with the government’s ฿17 to ฿45 rail fare scheme and possible assistance for eligible State Welfare Card holders.
For the initial 1,520 vehicles, the BMTA projects seven-year revenue of ฿52.654 billion, expenses of ฿32.799 billion and net profit of approximately ฿19.856 billion. Its cost estimates cover vehicle leases, charging equipment and some facilities for parking and charging.
