A long-awaited ticketing system will finally launch late next year, but it’s not the one commuters have been anticipating.
Beginning in August next year, transportation officials announced yesterday, commuters will be able to pay for trips on the BTS Skytrain as well as expressway tolls when they’re behind the wheel using a single common ticket.
A joint-venture between the BTS and toll system operators – half owned by the government – would operate the service, which will be installed later this year before testing begins in March, 2016, according to Bangkok Post.
Although the public has been eager to use a long-promised and delayed single-ticketing system for the BTS and MRT subway systems, that will not be part of what launches in 18 months. Delays to that system have largely been blamed on getting the various concessionaires to play nicely and cooperate with one another.
Officials said the new BTS/expressway system would be later extended to include the subway, Airport Rail Link, city buses and Chao Phraya boats. Eventually.
Photo: Harsha KR
