Thai Cabinet approves one-month extension of free bus, train services

BANGKOK, April 1 (TNA) - The Thai Cabinet has approved a one-month extension of free public bus and train services, until the end of April 2014, and has given the green light for the state-run Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) to seek a loan from the Ministry of Finance to fund the construction of its three extended electric train routes. Acting Deputy Government Spokesman Pakdeeharn Himathongkham told journalists of the Cabinet's resolutions on Tuesday afternoon, after its weekly meeting earlier in the day, saying that the extended free public bus and train services will be continued for 30 days, after it expired on March 31, with the official subsidy for 800 free non-air conditioned buses and 164 third-class trains amounting to 355 million baht. Pakdeeharn revealed that the Cabinet also allowed the MRTA to borrow from the Ministry of Finance to fund its construction of the three-route extended electric train projects, including the 10.92-billion baht-Purple Line (from Bang Sue in Bangkok to Bang Yai in the capital's adjacent Nonthaburi Province), the 4.55-billion baht-Blue Line (from Hua Lampong to Bang Kae in Bangkok) and the 1.65-billion baht-Green Line (from Bering on the outskirts of Bangkok to adjacent Samut Prakan Province). According to the acting deputy government spokesman, the decisions will be reported to the Election Commission of Thailand (EC) for its further consideration, as they were made by the caretaker government. (TNA)