Commuters on Bangkok’s public transport system could soon benefit from the use of a single ticket which would allow them to switch between buses, boats and trains.
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTTPP) is planning to set up an agency to control the ticketing system. The agency would comprise representatives from the Mass Rapid Transit Authority, State Railway of Thailand, and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and be operational by 2015.
The transport ministry would seek a budget of US$10 million (THB307.9 million) for the development and management of the system and another budget of US$13 million (THB398 million) for the development of a central clearing house. The OTTPP will fund operations for the first four years and then a government subsidy will take over, according to The Bangkok Post.
The one ticket system will encompass all of Bangkok’s mass transit systems claimed Soithip Traisuit, director of the OTTPP.
“It can be used with BTS, MRT, BRT, airport rail link, expressway and motorway networks, public bus and passenger boat services. It will keep them hassle-free with one ticket. The system is expected to be in use in 2015″ she said.
The ministry’s committee expects a consultancy firm to be chosen within three months to help study the details of the system.
