‘Mor Lieb’ vows that 20 baht of electric train fare throughout the line can be done only by ‘reducing the entrance fee’ for brave people to use the service, pointing out that it will help reduce people’s expenses and increase income, resulting in the government’s ability to collect more taxes.
Yesterday (21 Jan) Dr. Surapong Suebwonglee, MD. Former Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and Care Group Coordinator said on Talking Thailand about the case Mr. Surachat Thienthong, Bangkok’s MP candidate, Laksi-Chatuchak district of the Pheu Thai Party came out to reveal that the Pheu Thai Party Previously introduced a 20 baht electric train fare policy throughout the line and there was a possible way, stating that
In this regard, the Thai Rak Thai Party and the People’s Power Party used to propose a policy of 15 baht for electric trains throughout the line, which later, the Pheu Thai Party has presented a 20-baht electric train fare along the line in 2011, the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) has revealed the results of the study. The average travel cost for people in Thailand is 28 baht per trip, which is more expensive than other countries. especially neighboring countries like Singapore and Hong Kong. And Thailand is probably the most expensive country in the world for average travel expenses.
This shows that there is a problem with design thinking. when looking at the number of new train service users It can be seen that there are very few customers using the service. When the service is set too high, people will not be able to access and use the service. which no matter how many or few people use the service The cost of running each trip is not different. Therefore, if it can make the service fee cheaper until people want to use the service, it will make more money.
also in various networks The entrance fee is also collected. When we switch to service, each network has to pay an initial fee for each network. which is the main one that costs people more It’s like paying a common fee for each network every day and every trip. Therefore, if all networks can be turned into a single network and averaging the first values together, it will be able to reduce the cost for the people to some extent. Today’s electric train fares collected from bus tickets do not reflect costs. but reflects the promised contract
when the service is set high Every place has the same problem, which is less service users. Therefore, it must begin with How much will it cost people to access and use the service? The role of the state, therefore, should call each private sector to talk to find a way to allow more people to enter the system. which believes that the private sector is ready to talk for sure Because nowadays we see in the future that the service users will be less and may have to go bankrupt.
If calculating with daily wages, let’s say it’s 500 baht. Today, 60 baht for the electric train is equal to 12% of the wage. if compared to the minimum wage abroad The cost of electric trains is 2-5%, but in Thailand it is 5-18%, which is probably the most expensive in the world. Because in the world it is at 2-5%, but Thailand is now at 5-8%, which is the most expensive in the world.
“The train fare 20 baht throughout the line can be done. If the number of users increases and when there are many users It will allow the electric train to have revenue from advertising, which is an important part. including the shops around the train station Each station will be a Community Mall (Community Mall), and if the network expands how much? People will feel that they do not need to be in the city center to be able to travel. Therefore, the price of land for housing will be lower. As a result, the state will be able to collect more taxes. Just change one key.” Dr Surapong said
Dr. Surapong explained further that All this must come back and look at the connection between the project to make it more convenient for the people. must consider the entrance fee and setting a maximum ceiling of 20 baht throughout the line, including bringing the contract into consideration together for the private sector to benefit as well, able to collect a full amount of income for all parties, win-win, all to jointly fix the problematic system which was caused by the wrong buttons from the first pill Therefore, the whole system has to be dismantled to make it accessible to the public.
Dr. Surapong continued that for the electric train, there will be a central agency responsible for it, namely the Rail Department (Department of Rail Transport), Ministry of Transport. If you look back during the 2019 elections, there used to be joint seminars of various agencies. The TDRI suggested that the train fare should be 20 baht throughout the line, and the Department of Railways admitted that it could be done. If there are improvements in various matters especially the initial value that is used to average together Setting a cap and funds which may be income from advertising and others which by the system will be able to support themselves without having to pull taxes from the people
As for the concept of the spider web ticket that has been discussed for a long time, it may be more difficult than the 20 baht train fare throughout the line, but if you can do it in the 20 baht train fare throughout the line first, you may be able to do this. But Thailand’s problem is that no one is the host to seriously solve it, so it’s difficult to do. But not that it can’t be done. Therefore, the departments of the Ministry of Transport and Bangkok who are responsible for this matter must not work in the morning and evening and follow the work continuously. This may be able to be done.
