MRTs 20-Baht Fare Policy Increases Ridership by 17.7 Percent, Expands Accessibility

Bangkok —

On October 23rd, 2024, Mr. Wittaya Phanmongkol, the Acting Governor of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), revealed the success of the 20-baht maximum fare policy.

This initiative, part of the Ministry of Transport’s Quick Win program “Transportation for Public Prosperity,” was implemented to reduce commuting costs for the public. The policy was first applied to the MRT Purple Line on October 16th, 2023, and will expand further in November 2024, allowing passengers to travel across the Purple Line and Red Line suburban system for a combined maximum fare of 20 baht, using a single EMV Contactless card.

Since the policy’s launch, daily ridership on the Purple Line has grown by 17.7%, with over 66,000 passengers per day, compared to pre-policy numbers. The Blue Line has also seen a notable 11.92% rise, now serving an average of 420,000 passengers per day.
Stations with the highest usage include Sukhumvit and Silom, where passenger numbers increased by 9.11% and 9.80%, respectively. These stations act as key transfer hubs connecting with the Green Line.

The MRT Purple Line’s success has led to increased ridership on other lines and improved the overall efficiency of the Bangkok mass transit system. Notably, the Nonthaburi Civic Center station, connected to the Pink Line, saw a staggering 63.36% increase in passengers. Additionally, the popular Talad Bang Yai Station, near a major shopping district, reported a 27.22% rise in daily users.

Park-and-ride facilities along the Purple Line have also benefited. For example, the Bang Yai intersection parking facility saw a 29% increase in weekday usage, while the Bang Rak Noi Tha It station recorded a 23% rise in users.

The policy has not only encouraged higher ridership but also reduced traffic congestion and air pollution by promoting the use of public transport.

Furthermore, the MRTA is rolling out initiatives like the PAPA Care program (Priority Accessible Purple Line Area) to prioritize the needs of elderly, disabled, pregnant passengers, and children, ensuring equitable access.

In collaboration with Krung Thai Bank, the authority also developed an EMV Contactless card that supports fare discounts across all MRT lines and connects with other public transport, like the Red Line and BMTA buses.

This article originally appeared on our sister website The Pattaya News.

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Kittisak Phalaharn
Kittisak has a passion for outgoings no matter how tough it will be, he will travel with an adventurous style. As for his interests in fantasy, detective genres in novels and sports science books are parts of his soul. He works for Pattaya News as the latest writer.