Suriya’ confirms that the 20 baht flat-rate electric train is feasible and has actually been implemented. The target is set by September 2025. The remaining line prices must be reduced. He pointed out that the difference in the concession does not require the use of public taxes, but rather money from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund.
In a special joint parliamentary meeting to consider urgent matters, the Cabinet announced its policies to the parliament. Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, explained the 20 baht flat-rate electric train policy, saying that the principle of good corporate executives is that every problem has an answer, which is different from executives of failed organizations who tend to think that every answer has a problem.
‘The 20-baht electric train project is the same. Even though there are problems and obstacles, I am still confident that I will be able to find the answers to make it a success,’ said Mr. Suriya.
Mr. Suriya confirmed
that the government would definitely implement this policy and had already implemented it immediately after he assumed the position of minister on the first day. Before the government’s policy statement, Mr. Settha Thavisin, the former prime minister, promised to implement the policy quickly, divided into parts that the government would implement itself, namely the Red Line and the Purple Line, which would be completed within 3 months, but the part that the government had promised to grant concessions to the private sector would take 2 years to complete, which at that time the opposition parties were skeptical whether it could be done or not.
Mr. Suriya added that, however, less than 2 months after taking office, the Ministry of Transport was able to immediately implement the policies of the Red Line and Purple Line. For the remaining lines, legal power must be used, and he informed the media that it would take another 2 years, i.e. by September 2025.
‘The government will definitely proceed with the policy
of reducing the electric train fare to 20 baht for the entire line by September 2025. It will be different from the repurchase of the concession for operating trains from the private sector. This is a long-term solution that requires a detailed study. The Ministry of Finance will be the one to take action on this issue, with support and cooperation from the Ministry of Transport,’ said Mr. Suriya.
As for the question of where the government will use the money to subsidize the difference for operators after reducing the fare, Mr. Suriya stated that the Ministry of Transport has a principle that the subsidy for the difference after reducing the fare will be money from the fund established under the Common Ticket System Management Act. He also explained that there are still many other funds that do not necessarily come directly from people’s taxes, but can be requested from the Energy Conservation Promotion Fund, which is the use of money from oil users to reduce oil usage and create environmentally friendly tr
ansportation.
‘I would like to confirm that the government can do this policy, it is real, it is fast, it has been seen and will continue to do so under the supervision of Prime Minister Paethongtarn Shinawatra for the benefit of the people and the country as a whole,’ Mr. Suriya concluded.
In addition, Ms. Manop Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, explained the 20-baht flat-rate electric train project, which raised questions about whether the same collection should be made as for the BMTA buses. She said that currently, the bus fare starts at 8-45 baht, with the first 8 baht being the entry fee and 1 baht per kilometer thereafter. However, the electric train fare, which currently has a concession, is 15-45 baht, with the first entry fee being 15 baht and the following kilometer being 2 baht. It can be seen that both of these sections are similar, as the maximum collection is no more than 45 baht, which is the entry fee and the fee is based on the distance.
Ms. Manop reiterated that the ultimate goal
of this policy is to help reduce the cost of living and travel for the people, which can be seen that the people are satisfied with this policy.
Source: Thai News Agency