Phiphat Pushes Joint Ticket, Puts Orange-Purple Lines on Schedule

Prachachat•General•6d ago

Reader Briefing

Thai Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat is pushing for a unified public transport ticketing system and aims to open new MRT lines on schedule.

•Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is urging the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to expedite the implementation of a unified ticketing system.
•The government aims to open the Southern Purple Line by 2030 and the Eastern Orange Line by the end of 2027, with the Western section of the Orange Line also targeted for 2030.
•Discussions are ongoing with private operators BTS and BEM to integrate the 'joint ticket' system, with a goal of expanding it beyond the current two lines (Purple and Red).

Overview

•Deputy Prime Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn instructed the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to expedite key operations, focusing on reducing public cost of living.
•Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn is pushing for the expansion of the 40 Baht flat-fare policy, currently implemented on the Purple and Red lines, and the concept of zone-based fares.
•MRTA is to negotiate with private operators of various electric train lines to implement a 'Single Ownership' approach, transferring operation management to MRTA.
•Contracts are to be adjusted from PPP Net Cost to PPP Gross Cost to continue hiring existing private operators for train services.
•Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn expressed a desire for the joint ticketing system to be operational for more than two lines as a New Year's gift for 2027.
•The Southern Purple Line (Tao Poon-Rat Burana) is scheduled to open in 2030.
•The Eastern Orange Line (Cultural Centre-Min Buri of Suwinthawong) is expected to open at the end of 2027.
•The Western Orange Line (Cultural Centre-Bang Khun Non) is planned to open in 2030.

Full article content is available on the original source.

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Source: Prachachat (Original)

Key Quotes

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn

"I want it to be implemented for more than 2 lines as a New Year's gift for 2027."

ตนอยากให้ดำเนินการได้มากกว่า 2 สาย เพื่อมอบเป็นของขวัญปีใหม่ 2027

Gajapojana Udompaktipong

"As for how many lines will proceed with the joint fare and ticketing system by January 1, 2027, it cannot yet be specified."

ส่วนการเดินหน้าค่าโดยสารร่วมและระบบตั๋วร่วมจะดำเนินการได้ทันวันที่ 1 มกราคม 2027 ได้กี่สายนั้น ยังไม่สามารถระบุได้

Key Entities

Person

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn(พิพัฒน์)ℹ️

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, who is driving the implementation of a joint ticketing system and urging the opening of new MRT lines on schedule.

Gajapojana Udompaktipong(กาจผจญ อุดมธรรมภักดี)

Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), who reported on the progress of the Single Ownership policy and the joint ticketing system.

Organization

BTS Group Holdings(BTS)ℹ️

A private concessionaire of electric train lines involved in negotiations with the government regarding the 'joint ticket' system.

Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited(BEM)ℹ️

A private concessionaire of electric train lines involved in negotiations with the government regarding the 'joint ticket' system.

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)(การรถไฟฟ้าขนส่งมวลชนแห่งประเทศไทย)ℹ️

The state enterprise responsible for constructing and operating mass transit systems in Thailand, tasked with implementing the joint ticketing system and overseeing MRT line development.

Department of Rail Transport (DRT)(กรมการขนส่งทางราง)ℹ️

An agency whose policies and concepts regarding zone-based fares are being considered by MRTA in its review of service operations.

Law

Joint Ticket System(ตั๋วร่วม)

A planned unified public transport ticketing system aimed at reducing the cost of living for the public, currently being negotiated with private operators.