The military government will sunset a long-running program providing free fares on many bus and train routes.
After seven years of providing free train and bus transportation services, the “temporary” policy will be brought to an end in October to save money.
The cabinet concluded it will not continue the service, which in the Bangkok area has provided free rides on hundreds of public buses and nearly 200 economy-class trains every day, as it has been a “heavy financial burden.”
Starting in November, the elderly, disabled, and children under 12 will pay a half-price fare while students in middle school (Mathayom 1 – 3) will pay one-thirds, and high school students will pay two-thirds.
The termination of the free bus and train services came after Transport Minister Prajin Juntong proposed extending it again another three months through the end of October, as it initially scheduled to expire Friday.
Meanwhile, Permanent secretary Pongchai Kasemthaweesak said a study shows that free rides would place too much of a burden on the government’s public transport budget at a time when it is seeking to make significant cuts.
Officials said cutting the free rides will save upward of THB300 million, Thai PBS and Thairath reported.
