Will govt policy to cut train fares by 50% spark Bangkok renaissance?

Ruling party Pheu Thai has promised to honor its election policy by capping Bangkok city train fares at 20 baht.

If Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit gets his way, the fare cap will begin within the next few months – in time for the government to offer the far lower maximum fare as a “New Year gift” to the public.

“I think we should soon be able to cap the fare at 20 baht for the 41-kilometer Red Line [Taling Chan-Rangsit] and the 23-km Purple Line [Khlong Bang Phai-Bang Sue] because they are directly under the government,” he explained.

As for other city lines, Suriya promised to start negotiating with concessionaires shortly in a bid to fully implement the much-anticipated policy.

City lines in Greater Bangkok

There are now 12 city lines in Greater Bangkok, stretching a total of 242.34 kilometers. Together, they cover…