Bus operators agree to lower fares
The Bus Operators Association of Thailand eventually agreed to cut the bus fares by 2 satang per kilometre, but the effective date will be decided at the meeting with Transport Co Ltd on Sept 5.
Transport Co Ltd, a state enterprise, earlier cut its fares by 2 satang per km.
President Suchinda Cherdchai said that at another meeting with members today, they agreed to cooperate given that the business is related to the government services.
"We're not pressured by any person, neither my son or my son-in-law (who are both Pheu Thai Party MPs)," she said.
Earlier today, Suchinda announced that the operators would not lower the bus fares, despite a Bt3 cut per litre in diesel price. She said that the current fares are based on the diesel price range of Bt23-50-Bt24.71 per litre. Diesel is now retailed at Bt27.59
She noted that if diesel spikes up to Bt28.37, the association would propose for a hike in bus fare by 3 satang per kilometre.
"Right now, the operating cost, including the cost of tyres, has skyrocketed and we have to absorbed all the cost. If the government wants us to lower the fares, it needs to give us a financial assistance. The government could also allow us to quote bus fares accordingly to the actual oil prices," she said.
