BMCL need to raise ticket prices for the entire Hua Lampong-Bang Sue line

In light of higher energy costs, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited (BMCL) is planning to propose an MRT fare hike to reflect the increased operating expenses.

Managing Director of BMCL Chaiwat Utaiwan said the company sees a need to raise ticket prices for the entire Hua Lampong-Bang Sue line of the MRT subway. The proposal is awaiting approval from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), which is the concessionaire of the subway system.

Mr Chaiwat elaborated that due to the global fuel price hike, the number of commuters on the MRT has increased by 15 percent to approximately 300,000 commuters per day. Previously, the company estimated that the total number of daily passengers would stand at 260,000.

Meanwhile, the BTS group is also contemplating a fare increase for the BTS Skytrain. According to reports, the fare hike is expected to take effect by the middle of this year.

In a related development, Mr Chaiwat said starting from May, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will start collecting a 15-baht flat fare for the On Nut-Bearing section of the BTS line, which has been operating on a trial period since mid-2011. He added that the entire BTS system is now serving over 600,000 commuters per day, increasing from last year by 100,000.