THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Free rides on motorways, shuttle buses as carriers add flights

Free rides on motorways, shuttle buses as carriers add flights

THE CABINET yesterday approved a waiver on motorway tolls for inter-city motorways 7 and 9 from October 24-26 in order to facilitate people travelling to attend the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej's Cremation Ceremony, while Thai Airways International and Thai Smile Airway will add to the number of local flights.

Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, transport minister, said that the Department of Highways (DOH) would facilitate travellers’ convenience and safety and also waive the tolls on the two inter city motorways for smooth flow of traffics and lower traveling costs.
Inter-City Motorway 7 connects Bangkok with Chonburi province while Inter-City Motorway 9 links Bang Pa-in of Ayutthaya province with Bang Phli in Samut Prakan province.
Thanin Somboon, director-Genral of DOH, said points of service will be set up for people on the highways during October 22-28 and information on travel, the cremation ceremony, rest areas, beverages, emergency services, first aids will also be available at the spots. 
People can ask for further information at hotline 1586 round the clock or using application "DOH to Travel.”
Sanith Phromwong, director-general of the Department of Land Transport, said that the department and the transport operators have jointly prepared 100 free shuttle buses during October 25-27. Pick-up points will be in and around Bangkok to take people to areas close to the ceremony venue. 
Usanee Sangsingkeo, acting president at THAI, said THAI will add to flights to Bangkok from Phuket and Chiang Mai, and Thai Smile will increase services to Bangkok from Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, Hat Yai, Surat Thani and Narathiwat during October 23-31.
Nitinai Sirismatthakarn, president of Airports of Thailand, said that about 20,400 flights with 4.16 million seats are expected at six airports during October 23-31.
Thanin Panichewa, managing director of Don Muang Tollway, said fees will be exempted at all gates from 1am to midnight on the cremation date.
Other modes of transport will also join in the free service drive. 
Airport Rail Link will also offer free services during October 25-27 and extend its service time to 2 am of October 27. Free train fares are being offered to 117,638 passengers daily during October 23-31.
Other free transport services include Metropolitan Rapid Transit (MRT)'s Blue Line (Hua Lamphong-Tao Poon) and Purple Line (Bang Yai-Tao Poon), Bangkok Mass Transit System's skytrain - On Nut-Mo Chit (Sukhumvit Line) and National Stadium-Wongwian Yai (Silom Line), to Chao Phraya Express Boat on the cremation date.
 

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