Thailand Transport Ministry Proposes Extending Daily Flat-Rate Transit Pass to December 31, 2070

Key summary

The Thai Ministry of Transport plans to submit a proposal to the Cabinet Council (Krungthep) to extend the 'Daily Flat-Rate Transit Pass' measure until December 31, 2070. Originally set to end on November 30, 2069, the extension covers the Red Line suburban trains of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), specifically the Nakhon Witthaya line (Bangkok Abhiwat–Taling Chan) and the Thani Rattaya line (Bangkok Abhiwat–Rangsit), as well as the Purple Line of the Metropolitan Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA). The measure, which began on December 1, 2068, aims to reduce living costs for citizens. Data accumulated by the end of August 2069 showed a significant increase in passengers using EMV Contactless cards: the Red Line saw an average daily ridership of 9,460 passengers (an 89.01% increase) with average daily revenue of 0.31 million baht (a 212.43% increase), while the Purple Line recorded 27,653 average daily passengers (a 135.41% increase) and 0.60 million baht in daily revenue (a 275.00% increase). Combined, the two lines averaged 37,113 daily passengers (a 121.54% increase). The State Railway of Thailand will seek state budget allocation to subsidize the difference between actual fares and the flat rate under the State Finance Law B.E. 2561.