Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport (MOT), stated that starting from August 25, Thai citizens will be able to register for 20-baht flat fare for all mass transit lines on the Tang Rath application, available for download on both iOS and Android. Without a deadline, this registration is available for Thai nationals only in which it requires numbers of ID card, debit card or credit card, and registered Rabbit card. A regular fare will be applied to those without registration. Mr. Suriya speculated that once the new flat-fare ticket becomes effective on October 1, the passenger volume would increase by 20%.
In the initial phase, the Rabbit card holder can use the 20-baht flat fare on Core Green Line, Gold Line, Yellow Line, and Pink Line, while the EMV Contactless (Visa/ Mastercard) holder can use the ticket on Red Line, Blue Line, Purple Line, Pink Line, Yellow Line, and Airport Rail Link. When a passenger needs to transfer to a different line, they need to carry two types of card. However, the maximum price for the entire trip despite a cross-flatform transfer will remain THB 20. As for the following period, the administration will utilize technology to improve the system, allowing the passenger to make payment through QR code.
Mr. Athiphu Chitranukroh, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, stated that regarding the compensation for private concessionaires, MOT had negotiated with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and these private concessionaires and confirmed that the government will reimburse for all lost revenue. Even if the passenger transfer from Rabbit card holder line to EMV Contactless holder line, the private concessionaires of both lines will still receive full compensation.
However, in the event that the average passenger volume surpasses the growing rate over the past five years, which is expected to increase by 2-3% annually, the private concessionaires must share their revenues generated from this excess volume with the government to support the joint ticket system.
Mr. Athiphu added that the formula of revenue sharing from the flat-fare system has yet to be finalized as the earlier proposal of 20/80% sharing between the government and private sector is still under consideration. MOT and BMA have ordered its committee to finalize the details with concessionaires regarding compensation in the event of declining revenue and the revenue sharing of excess income from the new flat-fare system. Afterward, MOT and BMA will analyze the data and propose the national’s cabinet before imposing the 20-baht flat on October 1.
Mr. Surapong Laoha-Unya, Chief Officer of MOVE Business and Executive Director of BTS Group Holdings Public Company Limited (SET: BTS) told Kaohoon that the company’s performance in the second half of the year would likely increase, especially after the implementation of the 20-baht flat. The revenue of the transit line that did not reach the target, such as the Pink Line and Yellow Line, are likely to increase as well.
Yesterday, the 20-baht flat measure pushed BTS’ share price to close at THB 3.58 per share, a 5.29% increase, with a trading value of THB 553 million.
Mr. Surapong added that based on the data collected between January 25 -31, 2025, during the free service to help reduce PM 2.5 emission, the company found that passenger volume increased by 30%.
