The Department of Rail Transport (DRT) in Thailand is presently contemplating plans to deliver on the Pheu Thai-led coalition’s promise of introducing a cap on Bangkok’s electrical practice fares at 20 baht per trip. Backed was announced by a department supply on Monday, who additionally revealed that the findings from this investigation shall be introduced to the brand new administration as quickly as it takes workplace.
The source additional elaborated on the 2 strategies being considered for implementing this policy. The first approach would apply the 20 baht fare solely to low-income individuals who maintain a state welfare card. This possibility is seen as cheaper, with the government subsidising the fares of state welfare cardholders. Currently, about 31,019 cardholders use the city’s electrical trains for commuting. After the fare cap, this number is projected to extend to around 34,000 per day.
Should this plan be adopted, the federal government would need to subsidise approximately 35 baht per experience, resulting in a day by day complete of fifty two,190 baht or an annual total of 307.9 million baht.
The second method would apply the fare cap to all commuters on the capital’s electrical train network. This coverage could be costlier to implement, as it might require more substantial authorities subsidies. With a median fare of 17.forty seven baht per journey, the government would want to subsidise an estimated 16.5 million baht day by day or 5.forty four billion baht yearly, to keep up the 20 baht flat fare.
Applying the fare cap universally could result in a big improve in the variety of every day electrical prepare commuters. The source estimates that the variety of passengers could surge by 9.6%, approximately 104,296 people, resulting in a mean of 1.19 million every day passengers.
The DRT expressed hopes that if this policy is carried out before the beginning of the next year, it may assist in decreasing the levels of PM2.5 pollution. These ultra-fine pollutants often see a spike through the cooler months and pose a big danger to public well being, reported Bangkok Post.
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