MRTA extends fare reduction period on Purple Line
The Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has extended the period of its Purple Line fare reduction in accordance with the present Covid-19 situation, encouraging people to use the line more.
MRTA governor Pakapong Sirikantamas said today (September 17) that its board passed a resolution yesterday approving a continued fare reduction on the Chalong Ratchatham MRT (Tao Poon-Khlong Bang Phai) from the normal price of a maximum Bt42 to a minimum Bt14 and a maximum Bt20.
The fare reduction was set to end on September 30, but has now been extended until further notice to help relieve the cost of living.
The Purple Line fare reduction has seen the MRTA’s income decrease by approximately Bt20 million per month. In the past, the authority used reserve funds to subsidise the difference in income. Its reserves are presently reported to be approximately Bt160 million from a previous Bt500 million. The MRTA will now ask the government for financial support.
Around 40,000 passengers use the Purple Line each day, down from a previous average of 60,000. Blue Line trains average 330,000-340,000 passengers per day, down from the previous 380,000