Permanent free public transport to be decided by year-end

BANGKOK, 30 June 2010 (NNT) – The Ministry of Finance expects to bring the final conclusion to the plan to provide free public transport permanently before the end of this year.

As part of the government’s effort to alleviate low-income earners’ financial hardships, Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij disclosed today that the ministry currently deemed the fixed subsidies for the free services on third-class trains highly possible as it would create slight impact on the State Railway of Thailand (SRT). Regarding the free public bus measure, he pointed out that it would depend on the evaluation by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has assigned the Energy Policy and Planning Office (EPPO) to review the pricing structure of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in order to offer an appropriate price for the household and transportation sectors, as opposed to large industries.

On Tuesday, the cabinet approved the six-month extension of the relief measures, including free services on public buses and economy-class trains as well as free electricity. The measures will remain effective until the end of December 2010.

The prices of natural gas for vehicles (NGV) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) will be also frozen for another six months. The extended price pegging will be in force after the measure expires at the end of August 2010 until February 2011.