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Welfare Card Bus Fares Pilot: 23 Routes Begin May 28, 2026

Welfare Card Bus Fares Pilot: 23 Routes Begin May 28, 2026

Thansettakij•Economy•2d ago

Reader Briefing

Thailand's Ministry of Transport is launching a pilot program allowing welfare cardholders to use their benefits for bus fares on 23 routes, starting May 28, 2026, as part of an initiative to reduce inequality and improve public transport accessibility.

  • •A pilot program will allow welfare cardholders to pay bus fares using their welfare cards.
  • •The program will initially cover 23 bus routes starting May 28, 2026.
  • •This initiative aims to reduce inequality and enhance public transport accessibility for all groups.
  • •It is part of a broader plan to transition to electric buses and phase out older, non-air-conditioned buses.

Overview

  • •On May 28, 2026, a pilot program will commence to accept welfare card fares on 23 bus routes.
  • •Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport stated that electric buses will be procured, with the first batch expected by the end of March 2027.
  • •Minister of Transport confirmed that regular buses will no longer be in service by next year, due to the transition to electric buses.
  • •There are 14 million welfare cardholders nationwide, with 500,000 in Bangkok, all of whom can use public transport services.
  • •The Department of Land Transport and BMTA are considering revisions to all bus routes in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with clarity expected in 3-5 months.
  • •The government has prepared measures through welfare cards to subsidize fare differences and reduce the cost of living impact for citizens.
  • •BMTA is scheduled to begin receiving the first batch of new electric air-conditioned buses next year, aiming to receive a total of 1,520 buses by mid-next year.
  • •Thai Smile Bus has ordered 3,000 EDC machines, costing approximately 100 million baht, to support welfare card usage. Passengers will present their ID card to bus hostesses to pay fares based on distance (15-20-25 baht).

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Source: Thansettakij (Original)

Key Quotes

พิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ
"We are currently procuring electric buses, expecting the first batch by the end of March 2027. I confirm there will be no regular buses next year."
ขณะนี้อยู่ระหว่างจัดหารถเมล์ไฟฟ้า คาดว่าจะได้รับรถล็อตแรก ภายในปลายมี.ค.2027 ยืนยันว่าจะไม่มีรถเมล์ร้อนให้บริการภายในปีหน้า
นายพิพัฒน์
"We are currently procuring electric buses, expecting the first batch by the end of March 2027. I confirm there will be no regular buses next year."
ขณะนี้อยู่ระหว่างจัดหารถเมล์ไฟฟ้า คาดว่าจะได้รับรถล็อตแรก ภายในปลายมี.ค.2027 ยืนยันว่าจะไม่มีรถเมล์ร้อนให้บริการภายในปีหน้า
นายสิริพงศ์ อังคสกุลเกียรติ
"Currently, 14 million people nationwide hold welfare cards, with 500,000 of them in Bangkok."
ปัจจุบันมีคนถือบัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐทั่วประเทศ จำนวน 14 ล้านคน โดยเป็นผู้ที่ถือบัตรสวัสดิการฯ ในกรุงเทพฯ จำนวน 5 แสนคน
นางสาวกุลพรภัสร์
"The company anticipates an increase of 250,000 daily welfare card users, up from the current 380,000."
บริษัทฯคาดว่าผู้ใช้บัตรสวัสดิการฯ จะมีผู้ใช้บริการเพิ่มขึ้น 250,000 คนต่อวัน จากเดิมที่มีผู้ใช้บริการอยู่ที่ 380,000 คนต่อวัน

Key Entities

Person

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn(นายพิพัฒน์ รัชกิจประการ)
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport who announced the pilot program for welfare card bus fares.
Siripong Angkasakulkiat(นายสิริพงศ์ อังคสกุลเกียรติ)
Assistant Minister of Transport providing statistics on the number of welfare cardholders.
Kulpornpassorn(นางสาวกุลพรภัสร์)
An individual from Thai Smile Bus who provided projections on the increase in welfare card users.

Organization

Ministry of Transport(กระทรวงคมนาคม)
The government ministry overseeing the implementation of the welfare card bus fare program and the transition to electric buses.
Thai Smile Bus(ไทย สมายล์ บัส)
A bus company whose electric buses will be used in the pilot program for welfare card fare payment.
Department of Land Transport(กรมการขนส่งทางบก)
An agency involved in considering revisions to public transport routes in Bangkok and its vicinity.
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)(องค์การขนส่งมวลชนกรุงเทพ (ขสมก.))
The public transit authority planning to receive new electric buses and phase out older bus models.
Comptroller General's Department(กรมบัญชีกลาง)
The department responsible for topping up welfare cards with financial benefits.

Policy

State Welfare Card(บัตรสวัสดิการแห่งรัฐ)
A government benefit program enabling citizens to pay for public transport fares, including on 23 pilot bus routes.
Thai Chuey Thai Plus(ไทยช่วยไทยพลัส)
A mention related to special top-ups for welfare cards, likely a government stimulus or support program.