Thailand plans one-year extension of ฿40 daily rail fare
Cabinet approval is still needed to continue the discount on the Red, Light Red and Purple lines beyond its scheduled expiry on 30 November.
Thailand’s Transport Ministry plans to seek another year for a daily fare scheme that gives passengers unlimited travel for ฿40 across three rail lines. Government deputy spokeswoman Ploythalay Laksameesaengjan said the proposal still required cabinet approval.
The existing discount is scheduled to expire on 30 November. Ploythalay said the ministry backed its continuation to reduce commuters’ costs. The proposal would go before a weekly cabinet meeting, but she gave no date for its consideration.
The scheme covers the State Railway of Thailand’s Red and Light Red lines, along with the Purple Line, which belongs to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand. Payment is restricted to contactless Visa or Mastercard credit and debit cards, or the Mangmoom card. Any amount charged above the promotional fare is subsequently refunded to the card.
The promotion began in December with a 12-month duration. Figures through the end of August showed daily passenger numbers on the Red and Light Red lines had risen 89% to 9,460 since its launch. The Purple Line averaged 27,653 passengers a day, an increase of 135%.
