BMTA to serve e-tickets aboard its buses on Oct 1

BANGKOK, Sept 29 (TNA) -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has confirmed it will introduce an e-ticket system to serve people holding electronic government welfare cards on Oct 1. Deputy BMTA director Prayoon Choygeo who is acting BMTA director said card readers were installed on 200 buses and the number of such equipped buses would rise to 800 buses operating in the greater Bangkok within Nov 15. Stickers will be attached to identify buses with the card readers. The system would start to function on Oct 1. He also said that cash boxes would be installed on 100 buses within Oct 14, 700 more buses within Dec 13, and 1,800 more buses within June 10 next year. Bus attendants will remain on buses with the e-ticket system for two years to advise passengers on usage. When the system is fully operated, the BMTA will conduct an early retirement program on a voluntary basis, Mr Prayoon said. Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit said the e-ticket system would increase efficiency in bus fare collection and cut the cost of bus attendant employment. (TNA)