Spider Pass to be ready mid 2017

BANGKOK, Feb 23 (TNA) -- Ministry of Transport has planned to push forward with investment worth over 800 billion baht in 2017, while the 'Spider Pass' would be ready by the middle of the year, where passengers would be able to use one pass for all lines of sky train and underground. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said that this year, his ministry is set to move forward with its action plans to invest in 36 transport projects under a budget of almost 900 billion baht, including development of 10 routes of dual-track train lines, suburban train lines, underground train lines, motorways, and expressways. As for the progress of a one pass for all or the 'Spider Pass', the minister said the ministry is in the progress of setting up a Common Ticketing Company (CTC) through the investments of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), and is scheduled to hold talks with the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA), Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS), and Airport Rail Links on income managment. Mr Arkhom said results of the talks could be expected by March of this year, where the Spider Pass would be in service in the middle of the year. (TNA)