BANGKOK, Thailand – The government has announced plans to submit its joint ticketing proposal to the Cabinet, with a common fare system for all MRT lines targeted for launch on January 1, 2027, as a New Year gift to the public. The proposal seeks to reduce commuting costs by allowing passengers to pay a single entry fee regardless of the number of rail lines used. The government has already introduced a 40-baht flat fare on the Purple and Red lines and intends to extend the policy to the entire urban rail network, including the Green Line.
Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said fares on all MRT lines would be capped at 17 to 45 baht. He said the government does not currently have sufficient funds to buy back privately operated sections of the rail system, and purchasing all remaining concessions, some of which expire in 2029, would cost more than 100 billion baht. Authorities are therefore considering raising capital through the Thailand Future Fund (TFFIF) to eventually place the entire rail network under the management of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA). The process of bringing the entire system under state ownership is expected to take between one and a half and two years. Authorities also need to determine compensation for private operators and select a financial institution to collect fares and reimburse operators under the new system. Additional fare options, including weekly passes and discounts for students and senior citizens, will be considered at a later stage. (NNT)
