Commuters in Bangkok had a bad surprise on June1st : prices of the BTS skytrain skyrocketed by over 20%. A measure, which is likely to worsen traffic congestion in the streets of the Thai capital. Especially as incentives were offered last year to buy new vehicles.
BANGKOK – To fight climate warming, politicians around the world are all talking about preserving the environment by – among other measures- reducing the use of individual cars and fostering the use of an efficient and cheap public transport. But not in Bangkok. Last year, the Thai Government came with the wonderful idea to increase the number of cars in the streets of the capital by providing a financial incentive to first buyers. The THB 100,000 reimbursement scheme (US$ 3,500) produced miracle: according to estimates, Bangkok roads were hit by 7.5 million vehicles last year, up by 10% over the year before. Private cars alone reached a new record of 3.18 million. The average speed in Bangkok for a car is now down to 9 km to 10 km/hour…
And now another good headline which certainly pleased commuters. BTS, the agency running the elevated Skytrain, implemented on June 1st an increase in fares.
The last increase occurred back to 2006 when the lowest fares experienced the highest jump. If the basic fare for only one station remains at THB 15, passengers will pay more for each new station added on a trip. The increase represents three additional Baht per stop. In most cases, that will be equivalent to a jump of over 20% compared to the previous ticket prices. Monthly passes are also increasing by 8% to 10% on average.
Unfortunately, the increase is unlikely to be matched by an improvement in service. Under-investments to buy new trains resulted into increased congestion in public transport during most part of the day. And passengers will continue to rush to catch the last train past the midnight deadline!
For many years, the government has championed the reduction of fares in public transport to promote their use. It has been talked about reducing the price of a single ride to just THB 20. But so far, it was only “lips service” as proved by the latest fare increase in the BTS.
Talking to the Bangkok Post, Chula Sukamanop, director-general of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) at the Transport Ministry, estimates that such the 20 Baht scheme will only be worth its implementation once the improvement of Bangkok public transport really effective thanks to new Skytrain and MRT lines. It might then take another decade.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
