New higher bus fares set for Bangkok

Private Passenger Bus Operators Association president Pattarawadee Klomcharoon also said on Thursday that their air-conditioned bus fares would increase from the current distance range-based rate of Bt11-23 to Bt12-24 a trip.

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)'s non-air conditioned bus fares would increase from Bt6.50 to be Bt7.50. 

The BMTA natural gas-fuelled buses will charge a minimum starting fare of Bt15 for the first four kilometers before the flat rate of Bt25 is applied for longer distances until the terminal, she added.

The new fares were agreed in a December 14 resolution of the central land transport control committee, she said.

Pattarawadee said she believed the authority would not review or make any change to the new rate as it would adversely affect the number of buses available in greater Bangkok. Without such fare hikes, bus operators could no longer shoulder the high cost.