Suriya puts off capping Bangkok train fares at 20 baht per trip

TRANSPORT Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit said this afternoon (Sep. 5) the Pheu Thai campaign pledge to cap Bangkok electric train fares at 20 baht a trip is not being written in the coalition government’s policy statement to be delivered to Parliament but it could possibly be implemented in two years’ time, Naewna newspaper and Amarin TVsaid.

“Pheu Thai Party’s policy on a flat fare of 20 baht per Bangkok train trip is not urgent right now. Although they want to introduce it, there are other more important policies to spend money on first.

“In probably not more than two years we would be able to definitely push this policy,” he said.

Asked whether the ministry will be continuing large investment projects particularly the huge land bridge scheme linking the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea, Suriya replied that the ministry would be continuing with this project to create a key transport link.

“The Transport Ministry is ready to promote the reduction of logistics costs, with this being its main policy because the cost of transporting goods is higher in Thailand than other countries.

“The government must focus on investing in the rail system continuously to help cut costs so that current prices of goods are not affected,” he said.

Suriya added that Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin had said that all projects that could be implemented within the framework should be pushed through immediately. However those that are on hold particularly over budget would have to wait.

In terms of driving the economy, the Transport Ministry is ready to accelerate investment in state enterprises to generate revenue to help do so, he added.

CAPTION:

Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungruangkit. Top photo: Amarin TV, Front Page photo: Naewna

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