20.5% fewer passengers on BTS extensions after start of fare collection

The number of people using the two extensions of BTS Green Line train service has dropped by about 20.5%, from 340,000 to 270,000 a day, since the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) started collecting fares on January 2^nd.

According to a well-informed source in the BMA, about 250,000 passengers used the Mor Chit-Khu Khot extension and about 90,000 used the Baring-Kheha extension per day during the free ride period. After the imposition of the 15-baht fare on each of the two extensions, however, the number dropped to about 200,000 and 70,000 per day respectively.

The BMA has, however, managed to collect at least four million baht per day in fares.

The source said that the BMA believes that BTS Group Holdings, operator of the Green Line train service, will not file more lawsuits to demand additional compensation from the city administration after a case, still pending with the…