BANGKOK, 19 Nov 2013, The Transport Ministry has refused a petition for a boat fare hike by the Chao Phraya Express Boat Company Limited.
Earlier the company sent the request to Transport Minister Chadchart Sittipunt, asking for a permission to increase the fare by 2 baht per trip. The company claimed that the fare was last adjusted in 2008, and the company’s situation became worse following the Government’s minimum wage increase policy which has been in effects since last year.
The company however offers an alternative solution should the ministry decides to freeze the fares, saying that it can charge commuters 10 baht flat rate for an entire trip but the Government must compensate for any loss the company has to suffer.
Minister Chadchart replied that the ministry would not approve the fare hike at this time, as more than 30,000 commuters would be affected from the hike daily. He added however that the ministry would find a better solution for the company, like introducing incentive measures to attract more passengers.
