The cut is effective from 1 September and, although travellers will still pay THB14 for the first kilometre of their journeys, each subsequent kilometre is being halved from THB2 to THB1. This effectively means that passengers going all the way between the terminus stations will pay THB13 less than the current THB42.
The Purple Line launched less than three weeks ago, on 6 August, but average daily passenger numbers have been only one third of the 60,000 projected. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority says one of the underlying reasons for this is that the connecting link between Tao Poon and the MRT Subway at Bang Sue Station is unfinished.
The MRTA has forecast the missing link will take a minimum of five months to complete. Since the Purple Line officially opened, free bus services have been operating between Tao Poon and Bang Sue.
To encourage passengers to use combined Purple Line and Subway Blue Line trains, the MRTA will also reduce fares for the latter on services as far as Bang Sue. A final incentive for commuters is a 50 per cent cut in the parking charges at MRTA stations.
Bangkok train operator to reduce Purple Line ticket prices
News in Asia
The company in charge of Bangkok’s urban trains has announced a fare reduction for passengers using the brand new Purple Line. Reduced ticket prices will be available for passengers, tourists and commuters with MRTA Smart Cards on trains between Bang Yai and Tao Poon stations.