Govt extends free train and bus services for another 6 mths

BANGKOK, April 30 (TNA) -- The Thai Cabinet has, yesterday, approved the extension to provide free bus and train services to the people for another six months, from the previous deadline of April 30 to the end of October 31 instead. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) Governor Wuthichart Kalyanamitra said the Cabinet has endorsed the lengthening of the project for free bus and train services another half a year, starting tomorrow, or May 1 until October 31, as the project has greatly been helping low-income earners cut the cost of their living expenses. The SRT is set to provide a total of 160 free rail trips to the public daily, comprising of 152 public service trains, while 8 others are commercial trains. The measures had already been extended once in January. The measures to help low-income earners reduce their living expenses were initiated during the administration of the late former prime minister Samak Sundaravej in 2008. (TNA)