BANGKOK, 25 February 2012 – Passenger bus operators have urged the Transport Ministry to approve their fare increase request as the diesel price has exceeded 30 baht per liter.
According to Mrs. Sujinda Cherdchai, president of the Passenger Bus Operators Association, inter-provincial bus fares need to be adjusted upwards by at least six satang per kilometer in order to offset the increasing operating cost, now that the price of diesel is close to 32 baht per liter.
Mrs. Sujinda also voiced her concern that operators who are heavily affected by the fuel price hike may be forced to end their business. She added that inter-provincial bus service was actually not a very profitable business since operators still have to continue their service even when there are only a few passengers on the trip.
Sornsak Sansombat, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Transport Ministry said the discussion on the fare adjustment is expected to take place in March.
