Transport confident no passengers stranded during Songkran

BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) --The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has increased the number of express train by 20 trips to cater to 30 per cent more passengers as more commuters start their journeys to their hometowns, Deputy Minister of Transport Pichit Akrathit said the ministry gives great importance to providing the best safety while traveling, prompting the ministry to ensure that all public transportation drivers strictly follow regulations, particularly on the alcohol fre policy, otherwise they could the toughest penalty of being fired. Meanwhile, since the country has started the first day of traveling ahead of this year's Songkran Festival, the SRT has increased the number of express train trips, nine9 for the outbound and 15 trips for inbound routes, in addition to adding more passenger compartments to regular train lines in order to cater to 30 per cent more passengers. The ministry is expecting a total 200,000-300,000 passengers during the festival this year, where the number of train passengers would be in its peak at 130,000. The daily passenger number would then decline, as a large crowd of the people has already started their journey home since last week. The ministry expressed that no passengers would be left stranded this year. (TNA)