BANGKOK, 11 August 2012– The country’s urban train operator expects Bangkok’s underground rail system to soon expand considerably after its fare is lowered.
Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) Governor Yongsit Rojsrikul said on Friday that MRTA has been negotiating with Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL), the operator of the underground train system, to lower its fee to a flat rate of 20 baht. The negotiation is expected to be concluded by September.
Mr. Yongsit said that, if the rate is lowered, the number of passengers will go up and lead BMCL to order around 19 more cars to expand its service.
He expects all of this to be completed by the end of 2013.
Concerning the Purple Line “Bang Yai-Bang Sue” electric rail system, Mr. Yongsit said that the construction will likely be ready for the Cabinet to review in September, after MRTA has completed initial discussions with BMCL.
