Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has assured the public that the long-awaited 20-baht train fare for all mass transit systems in greater Bangkok will indeed become a reality. However, this welcome change may take up to two years to materialize, as negotiations with various system operators are necessary.
The commitment to establish a flat-rate train fare of 20 baht is a top priority for the government. Still, its immediate implementation is hindered by the complexity of the task. Multiple operators are involved, each holding separate concession contracts. To achieve this fare goal, critical measures such as the introduction of a unified ticketing system are necessary. This unified system would allow commuters to seamlessly travel across various train systems, including those operated by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority and the Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company (BTSC).
Though the 20-baht train fare is not explicitly mentioned in the government’s upcoming policy statement, it remains an integral part of the government’s logistics policy. Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit stands ready to provide a comprehensive explanation to parliament.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s cabinet, the Transport Ministry will dedicate the initial two years to encourage investments and reduce overall logistics costs within Thailand. Therefore, it is realistic to expect electric train rides priced at 20 baht by 2026 at the earliest.
Phichet Khunatham, the Director General of the Department of Rail Transport, has outlined two approaches to implementing the 20-baht fare cap on electric trains. The first approach would extend this fare cap to holders of state welfare cards exclusively, while the second approach would make it applicable to all passengers. The department estimates budgets of 307.8 million baht per year for the former approach and 5.44 billion baht per year for the latter.
A recent study by Thailand’s Development and Research Institute (TDRI) revealed that electric train fares in Thailand are approximately 20% higher than those in Singapore, despite the significantly higher per capita income of Singaporeans. In Bangkok, the average train fare consumes approximately 11% of the minimum wage, a stark contrast to the more affordable rates seen in countries like South Korea (1.5%), Japan (2.9%), and Singapore (3.5%).
One contributing factor to the comparatively expensive fares in Bangkok and its suburbs is the repeated collection of the entry or starting fare, set at 16 baht. This charge applies to commuters traveling long distances between different sections of the train route. The entry fare for each section adheres to the terms of the concession contracts governing BTS (Bangkok Mass Transit System), BEM (Bangkok Express Metro), the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, and the Mass Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT).
As negotiations and discussions continue, the prospect of a 20-baht train fare brings hope to the commuters of Bangkok, who have long awaited more affordable transportation options within the city.
