Pipat Orders MRTA to Negotiate Joint Ticket at 40 Baht All Day with BEM-BTS

Thansettakij•Economy•24d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Ministry of Transport is pushing for a unified metro system with a flat fare of 40 Baht, aiming for implementation by January 1, 2027.

•The Ministry of Transport, led by 'Pipat', is directing the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to negotiate with BEM and BTS for a joint ticket system starting at 40 Baht per day.
•The goal is to achieve a single ownership model for the metro system and implement a unified fare structure to benefit the public.
•Negotiations will focus on converting contracts from Net Cost to Gross Cost to allow state control over fares, aligning with cost of living policies.
•The proposed 40 Baht all-day fare is planned for new lines or those that can be implemented first, aiming for a January 1, 2027 launch as a New Year's gift.

Overview

•January 1, 2027, is the target date for the implementation of common fares and joint tickets on new or early-implementing metro lines.
•The MRTA is studying and analyzing operating costs with the Department of Rail Transport and the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to drive the joint ticket policy and common fare rates.
•MRTA is in discussions with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to transfer ownership of the Green Line and Gold Line metro extensions to MRTA for integrated management.
•MRTA will propose the project study analysis report for the Purple Line South (Tao Poon - Rat Burana) according to the Public-Private Partnership Act B.E. 2019 (PPP) to the MRTA Board within 1-2 months.
•The Purple Line South metro project could see the operator selected within the year 2027, with services expected to begin in 2030, following proposal to the Cabinet for approval this year or early 2027.
•The Orange Line metro project (Cultural Centre - Min Buri section) has over 50% progress in the installation of the electrical and signalling systems.
•The first of 32 metro train sets for the Orange Line is expected to be delivered by October, with all deliveries completed by the end of 2027, leading to testing and service commencement in early 2028 or potentially late 2027.
•Contract adjustments are being considered to move from a Net Cost to a Gross Cost model in order to allow the government to control fares and support the public's cost of living.

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Key Quotes

Gajaphon Udomthampahdi

"Regarding contract improvements, there's a concept to negotiate from Net Cost to Gross Cost, allowing the state to control lower fares according to the policy of looking after people's cost of living."

ส่วนการปรับปรุงสัญญา มีแนวคิดที่จะเจรจาปรับปรุงสัญญาจากรูปแบบ Net Cost เป็น Gross Cost เพื่อให้รัฐสามารถควบคุมอัตราค่าโดยสารให้ต่ำลงได้ตามนโยบายดูแลค่าครองชีพประชาชน

Gajaphon Udomthampahdi

"The goal is to use common fares and joint tickets on new lines or those that can be implemented first, by January 1, 2027, as a New Year's gift for the people."

โดยมีเป้าหมายการใช้ค่าโดยสารร่วมและตั๋วร่วมในสายใหม่ๆ หรือสายที่ดำเนินการได้ก่อน ภายในวันที่ 1 มกราคม 2027 เพื่อเป็นของขวัญปีใหม่ให้ประชาชน

Key Entities

Person

Pipat(พิพัฒน์)

Minister of Transport who ordered MRTA to negotiate for a unified metro ticket system.

Gajaphon Udomthampahdi(นายกาจผจญ อุดมธรรมภักดี)

Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), providing details on metro project developments and fare policies.

Organization

MRTA(รฟม.)ℹ️

Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, tasked with negotiating for a unified metro ticket and fare system.

BEM

Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited, a key operator in negotiations for a unified metro ticket system.

BTS Group Holdings(BTS)ℹ️

BTS Group Holdings, a major operator in negotiations for a unified metro ticket and fare system.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA)(กรุงเทพมหานคร (กทม.))ℹ️

Local government body involved in discussions with MRTA regarding the ownership transfer of metro lines.

Department of Rail Transport (DRT)(กรมการขนส่งทางราง (ขล.))

Government agency collaborating with MRTA on studying operating costs for the unified metro fare system.

Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP)(สำนักงานนโยบายและแผนการขนส่งและจราจร (สนข.))

Organization involved in the study and analysis of operating costs for the unified metro fare system.

Place

Green Line(สายสีเขียว)ℹ️

Metro line for which ownership transfer discussions are ongoing between MRTA and BMA.

Gold Line(สายสีทอง)ℹ️

Metro line for which ownership transfer discussions are ongoing between MRTA and BMA.

Purple Line South(สายสีม่วงใต้)

Metro line undergoing PPP investment analysis for its operation, with recommendations for a Gross Cost model.

Purple Line(สายสีม่วง)ℹ️

Metro line whose operational model (Gross Cost) is being used as a reference for the Purple Line South.

Orange Line(สายสีส้ม)ℹ️

Metro line project that is over 50% complete in system installation, with train deliveries expected soon.

Law

Public-Private Partnership Act B.E. 2019(พระราชบัญญัติการร่วมลงทุนระหว่างรัฐและเอกชน พ.ศ. 2019)

Legislation under which the Purple Line South project analysis is being conducted for PPP.