Saen Saep boat fares drop 1 baht

The operator of the Khlong Saen Saep commuter boats cut fares on Thursday after a fall in diesel price, said Nat Chubchai, deputy director-general of the Marine Department (MD), yesterday.

Mr Nat said the department instructed Krobkrua Khonsong Co, which operates commuter boats in Khlong Saen Saep, to reduce fares by one baht after the diesel price fell below 21 baht per litre, a rate which prompted a downward price adjustment.

He said the Khlong Saen Saep boat operator followed the department’s directive and has cut boat fares that were between eight and 18 baht one way to between seven and 17 baht. The new rates came into effect on Thursday.

For the Chao Phraya Express Boat Co, which runs boat services on the Chao Phraya River, boat fares will remain pegged as they are. However, if the diesel price remains below 21 baht for seven consecutive days, the company will reduce fares, according to an agreement made with the department.

Mr Nat said if and when the fares are reduced on the Chao Phraya boats, they will fall one baht, both for express and ordinary services.

Ferry fares will fall by 50 satang per oneway trip, he said.

Chavalit Methayaprapas, managing director of Krobkrua Khonsong Co, said the cut in boat fares was conducted in accordance with an agreement with the Marine Department which said if the diesel price falls lower than 21 baht per litre, fares will be reduced by one baht per one-way trip.

However, if the fuel price rises higher than 21 baht per litre, fares will rise again by one baht.

He also said the number of commuters using the service rose 5-6% last month.

Mr Chavalit said Khlong Saen Saep boats currently serve about 40,000 commuters each day. The increase in the number of boat passengers has been a result of the construction of electric train projects which have caused traffic jams.