Train fares for Bangkok's railway system set to increase to B20 starting September.
Beginning September 30, the Bangkok light-rail commuter network will implement a flat fare of 20 baht across all lines, reducing travel costs for city residents.
Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit confirmed this development, stating that he held discussions with various agencies, including the Ministry of Finance, to facilitate the necessary legal and regulatory changes required for the program's implementation.
To maintain operator revenue during this pricing adjustment, the government plans to amend the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Act and the Common Ticketing System Management Act. This legislative change will establish a fund allocated to cover losses incurred by the operators due to the fixed-fare policy. The Ministry of Finance has pledged full support for the initiative.
To ensure financial viability, the government proposes creating a joint ticketing fund with an estimated annual subsidy of 8 billion baht, drawn primarily from the MRTA's accumulated profit. Additional funding will be supplied from the central budget.
Once the required legislation is passed, all metro lines will apply the 20-baht flat fare, offering more accessible and affordable daily commuting options to residents. However, passengers must possess a Thai national ID with a 13-digit identification number to qualify for the discounted fare. Foreigners and resident expats will be required to pay the normal rate for trips costing more than 20 baht.
The Thai government's Tang Rat mobile application will facilitate registration for the new fare system starting in August. Passengers will need to link their existing contactless or transit cards to the app. As a clearinghouse, Tang Rat will oversee the equitable distribution of fare revenues across all lines.
Currently, the 20-baht flat fare is applicable to the Red and Purple electric train lines. Fares on other mass-transit systems vary by route length, ranging from 17 to 43 baht on MRT routes and 15 to 62 baht on the BTS Skytrain system.
In terms of broader implications for the Commuter Network, this decision marks an expansion of the 20-baht flat fare from the Red and Purple lines to include the Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Green lines by September 2025, aiming for a more consistent and affordable transportation experience across the city.
The Minister of Finance, in support of the government's initiative, has pledged full support for the establishment of a fund aimed at covering losses incurred by public-transit operators due to the implementation of the flat fare policy in the Bangkok light-rail commuter network, which falls under the industry of transportation. This legislative change, to be facilitated through amendments to the MRTA Act and the Common Ticketing System Management Act, is anticipated to receive further funding from the central budget.
The proposed funding for the joint ticketing fund, estimated at 8 billion baht per annum, is primarily sourced from the MRTA's accumulated profit and aimed at ensuring financial viability of the expanded flat fare across all lines within the industry of transportation, including the Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Green lines by September 2025.
