The deputy minister said the ministry was surveying the effect of the restructuring on buses, public passenger vans, songthaew pick-up taxis and motorcycle taxis. He finished off with the statement that the proposal would be submitted for governmental approval later this month.
The end of subsidies saw public transport companies immediately petition for fare increases to reflect their additional expenditure. Private operators on bus routes in Bangkok have demanded a hike in prices of up to THB10 in certain parts of the city. Pattarawadi Klomcharoon is a spokesperson for the companies and she told reporters that operational costs per day for a bus were THB4,600.
Ms Klomcharoon added that the average income for a bus was only THB3,600 a day and part of the problem was that the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority had not authorised any fare increase for almost seven years. She finished off by saying if the Transport Ministry did not allow any fare increases then it should think about reducing the price of Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV).
Thai Transport Ministry considers raising fares
News in Asia
The Transport Ministry of Thailand is considering raising fares for all forms of land-based travel in the country. Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, a deputy minister with the ministry, said staff were evaluating the impact of a recent fuel price restructure that saw it pegged to its actual cost and not one stipulated by the government.