BMA mulling debt-payment plan to prevent Green Line shutdown
The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) on Friday responded to an ultimatum to pay off its Bt30 billion-plus debt or see the Skytrain Green Line shut down.
Skytrain operator Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTSC) delivered the ultimatum last Monday, threatening to suspend train services unless the BMA pay its debt for operating the Green Line extension since 2018. The debt includes Bt9.6 billion in wages and more than Bt20 billion for the train operating system.
The BMA’s investment arm, Krungthep Thanakom (KT), on Friday sought to resolve the dispute.
"The company [KT] has submitted a proposal letter to the BMA on repaying the debts and allocating budget to operate mass transit systems in Bangkok to ensure that services will not be affected," said KT managing director Kriangpol Phatthanarat.
He said the maximum Green Line fare will be raised to Bt104 from February 16, as per Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwanmuang's announcement on January 22.
The BMA is raising the fare ceiling in a bid to pay off its debts.