Bangkok to launch integrated e-tickets for public transports

BANGKOK, Sept 1 (TNA) – The comprehensive electronic ticketing system will be introduced for the city’s bus passengers in October before expanding to cover electric train travels in the next six months. After the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the integrated e-ticket cards, so-called Mangmoom or spider cards, Director of the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning Chaiwat Tongkamkoon said in the first phase, the e-card system will be installed in buses and the system will connect with the government’s welfare cards to be handed out to the low income earners, registered with the authorities. The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) was assigned to be responsible for the operations of the system in the early stage. After that, the cards will be integrated with electric skytrain and subway ticketing system in the next month while it will also include express boat service in the future. It is expected that with the new integrated ticketing system, more commuters will convert to use public transport instead of personal cars by 30 per cent in the five year to save energy and to reduce environmental problems. (TNA)