BANGKOK, April 17 – Bangkok’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), the capital’s latest bus system, is offering a flat rate fare of Bt5, reduced from Bt10, for the entire route from Sathorn to Rachapruek, its first route, until the end of this year.
The move is to attract 20,000 commuters/day, while another seven routes will soon open for service.
The distance from Sathorn to Rachapruek is 15 km, covering 12 stations.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Amorn Kitchawengkul said the new fare started on April 15, following a policy of Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra.
However, Mr Amorn said the fare reduction cost has not yet been calculated, for it is still during the Songkran period when the highest number of commuters is not expected, but there were about 5,000 passengers/day so far during the Thai New Year holiday.
The fare reduction aims to attract 20,000 commuters/day, mainly students, a rise from the current 16,000 commuters/day.
He said the plan would not affect BRT’s profits, for it has a seven-year budget to cover costs, which now has three years remaining.
