Decision on inter-province bus fare hike deferred to September

Operators have said that if the fare increase is not approved they will have to consider shutting down some money-losing routes.
The ministry initially said it would make a decision in June, after operators of inter-province buses called for increases to cope with rising diesel fuel prices.
On Thursday, Suchinda Cherdchai, chairwoman of the Passenger Bus Operators Association, and representatives of the operators, met Teerapong Rodprasert, assistant to the transport minister, at the Transport Ministry to demand an answer.
After the meeting, Teerapong told reporters that the ministry could not yet give an answer because the ministry is waiting for the result of a study on bus fare structure by the Land Transport Department.
Teerapong said the study has been completed but the department was reviewing it before making a decision on whether to endorse the proposal.
The department is expected to submit its decision to the Transport Ministry this month and then it will be submitted to the Land Transport Policy Board, which is chaired by Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith to deliberate and approve.
Teerapong said the final decision is expected in September.
Suchinda said her group would wait for the decision, meanwhile shouldering the increased fuel costs.
She said the association expected that the fares to be increased.