A brightly colored sign proudly flaunts the 20-baht flat-fare rate for Red Line electric trains at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, introduced in October last year. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Fast forward to today, and the operator of the Red Line is campaigning to extend this enticing 20-baht fare for another year once the current trial wraps up in November. The reason? A dramatic upswing in passengers. According to Suthep Punthupeng, the CEO of SRT Electrified Train Co—brainchild of the State Railway of Thailand—the flat fare introduced last October has driven a whopping 50% increase in ridership. Not too shabby, considering they initially estimated a modest boost of 10-15%, with an optimistic eye on 20%.
Now, Mr. Suthep and his team are gearing up to present their annual report to the SRT board next Monday. With approval from the Ministry of Transport and the cabinet, they hope to keep the 20-baht fare rolling through 2025, potentially adding another 10% to the Red Line’s passenger numbers.
This flat-rate fare was the brainchild of Transport Minister Suriya Junrungreangkit. Offered on both the Purple and Red Lines, its aim is to ease the financial burden on Bangkok’s residents and promote mass transit over fossil-fuel-reliant vehicles to curb pollution.
The Red Line’s two primary routes—Bang Sue-Rangsit and Bang Sue-Taling Chan—have the capacity to carry up to 200,000 passengers daily. For now, however, the average daily passenger count sits at around 30,000. Interestingly, the end of last month saw a record-breaking 42,000 commuters hopping on board.
That’s quite a leap from last year’s daily average of 19,000 passengers! Looking ahead, Mr. Suthep predicts that next year the numbers will climb to around 40,000 daily.
In a bid to further accommodate Red Line commuters, the company is rolling out new feeder bus routes. An exciting trial run is set for October 5, offering a weekend route between Krungthep Apiwat station and the bustling Chatuchak Market.
Transport Minister Suriya is advocating for an even broader application of this 20-baht cap, hoping to see it extend across all rail lines in Greater Bangkok by March 2026. One proposed strategy might involve the government buying back concessions from some operators to make this vision a reality.
As it stands, the 20-baht cap benefits only the Purple and Red lines, run by the Mass Rapid Transit Authority and SRT, respectively. Meanwhile, fares on Bangkok’s other popular mass-transit systems vary significantly, ranging from 17 to 43 baht on MRT routes and 15 to 62 baht on the BTS Skytrain system.
This is fantastic news! Extending the 20-baht fare can make a huge difference for daily commuters. We should support this initiative wholeheartedly.
Yeah, but who’s going to pay for this in the long run? These programs always end up costing taxpayers more.
We already pay too much in taxes. A little relief in commuting costs is much needed, especially with the rising cost of living.
Good point, Penelope. Plus, it’s not just about immediate cost savings. If more people use public transit, it can reduce traffic and improve air quality.
Absolutely! The environmental benefits alone are worth the small price we might pay in taxes. We need to think long-term.
How about investing in better infrastructure instead? Extending the fare is a temporary fix.
Exactly. We need sustainable solutions, not just stop-gap measures. What happens when the flat fare expires again?
But if it gets people using the train more often, it could lead to better revenue, which could then be reinvested into infrastructure.
Perhaps, but relying on increased ridership alone is risky. We need a comprehensive strategy that includes fare reform and infrastructure development.
The government’s focus should be on broader fare caps across all lines, not just the Purple and Red Lines. It feels unfair to those who rely on other lines.
That’s true. A more uniform fare structure could actually encourage people from different parts of the city to use public transport more.
But that might be too difficult to implement. Each line has different operating costs and needs.
Then perhaps the government should consider subsidizing these other lines to balance out the operating costs. Equity in public transport should be prioritized.
What about the rural areas? All these initiatives focus on Bangkok, but rural transportation is equally important.
That’s a whole different beast. Rural areas need their own specific solutions, but urban centers like Bangkok can serve as testing grounds for new policies.
True, but it still feels like rural areas are always left behind. They need proper attention too.
I think integrating tech solutions like mobile apps for real-time tracking can make public transit even more appealing.
Great idea! Real-time tracking can make commuting less stressful. Knowing exactly when the next train arrives would be a game-changer.
Agreed! Real-time updates would also allow the service to adapt to peak times better and distribute the passenger load more efficiently.
I love the idea of feeder bus routes. Anything that makes commuting more seamless is a win in my book!
Feeder routes are good, but they need to ensure these buses are frequent and reliable. Otherwise, it’ll be a missed opportunity.
Absolutely. Consistent and timely service is key for any public transport system to thrive.
Suthep’s plan is ambitious, but is there empirical evidence that reduced fares lead to long-term increases in ridership?
What if the 20-baht fare attracts more petty crimes or overcrowding? Any measures being taken for safety?
Exactly, more people means higher chances of theft and other crimes. They need more security for sure.
The 20 baht fare is just a bribe to keep people quiet about the bigger issues with public transport!
That’s a bit harsh. It seems like a genuine effort to make commuting more affordable.
Maybe, but it still feels like a distraction from the real problems like outdated infrastructure and inconsistent service.
This is just a marketing gimmick. I wish they would invest in more sustainable energy sources for these trains!
Is the government thinking about the long-term sustainability of this plan?
Sustainability might be an issue, but for now, it seems they are primarily focused on increasing ridership.
Why stop at 20 baht? Make it free for everyone!
If they roll this out across all lines in Greater Bangkok, I bet they’ll see a huge drop in traffic congestion. Win-win!
The flat fare isn’t just good for commuters; it’s good for the environment! We should push for similar initiatives in other sectors.