City Hall drops plans to nearly double BTS max fare, for now

City Hall has backed down on nearly doubling the BTS fare ceilings, for now, which were to come into effect next week.

After its fare hike was met with public unhappiness and withering criticism from lawmakers, City Hall announced last night that Gov. Aswin Kwanmuang agreed to postpone the increases along all BTS lines to up to THB104 to help relieve economic suffering brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The statement did not specify the new date when the new fare structure would come into use.

Aswin last month said he wouldn’t back down and maintain the current max fare of THB59 despite pressure from top transport officials. He cited the city’s THB9 billion (USD$300 million) debt to the skytrain service provider. Later, a consumer advocacy group petitioned Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-o-cha to use his power to intervene before the fares became effective Feb. 16…