Transport Ministry, public transport operators to discuss fare hike

BANGKOK, September 21 (TNA) – Thailand’s transport minister will meet private and public transport operators late this month to discuss their planned adjustment of fares. Private and public transport operators plan to increase their fares as the government is expected to raise prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and natural gas for vehicles (NGV) next month. Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong said he would hold a workshop with representatives from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRT) and the Transport Co. on September 27 and would also discuss with them land transportation problems. ACM Prajin told journalists that discussions would also focus on a plan by MRT (subway) to increase its fare in October. The ministry wants the MRT to prolong its plan for as long as possible, or at least by the end of 2014 so that it would not cause hardship to people, he said. Regarding taxi drivers’ demand to raise taxi fares, ACM Prajin said he would invite taxi operators for a discussion after the September 27 workshop. Representatives of Energy Ministry and PTT Public Co., Ltd. will also be invited for discussions because the issue is directly related to energy prices. The government plans to adjust LPG price in the transportation sector so that it reflects the actual production cost. LPG price in the transportation sector has been cheaper than the household sector since April this year, making consumption in the transportation sector higher by 10 per cent than before. (End)