BANGKOK, 12 March 2015 – The first common ticketing system is expected to be launched in Bangkok on a trial basis in next Jan or Feb, Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said on Thursday.
Prajin said that the Office of Transport Policy and Planning (OTP) has signed a 42-month long contract worth 388 million baht hiring the BSV Group comprising Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc, which operates BTS trains, Smart Traffic Co and Vix Mobility Co., to install the common ticketing system.
The system allows easier and faster transit and interchange in the capital which possesses multiple transit modes. Its first phase will cover BTS trains, expressways, BRT and NGV buses, MRT Purple Line (Bang Yai-Bang Sue) and will later be expanded to the rest including the Airport Rail Link, intercity motorways and passenger boats on the Chao Phraya River in 2017-2018. Ticket prices in all transit modes are also expected to be reduced due to the new system.
According to the minister, the Transport Ministry will propose to the cabinet an establishment of a committee to supervise the common ticketing policy. Meanwhile, a private company with 40% of its shares to be owned by the government, will be set up to ensure the efficiency of the clearing house management in revenue collection. Out of the 600-million-baht capital of the company, 244 million baht will be spent on the development of interchange facilities.
