Single-ticket foot-dragging
The delay in the launch of the long-overdue common ticket system that is designed to link all modes of public transport in Bangkok means city commuters will have to endure continued high transport costs and inconvenience. Padet Praditphet, chief of the Common Ticketing Office, told the media that a full single-ticket system will not emerge until until 2020, blaming sluggish system development. There is some good news for those using the MRT Blue Line, the MRT Purple Line and the Airport Rail Link as they can gain access to the three systems with a single card, known as the “2.0 version”, in around September, according to Mr Padet.
It seems the 2020 time frame is based on sheer optimism as other operators appear half-hearted in seeing it materialise for fear of a dent to their income. This is why there has been little if any progress.
He said the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA), the state agency overseeing construction and the operation of urban mass-transit rail systems, has yet to decide if it will develop the ticketing system or have state-run Krungthai Bank do it. It is expected to take 12-18 months to develop the system.
The MRTA board plans to meet later this week to discuss issues including software development and the setting up of a subsidiary to manage the system.
The current fares for the city’s rail transport are known to be among the highest in the region, causing a hefty financial burden for commuters.
According to the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), the average ticket price in Thailand is 20% higher than in Singapore. Such a finding is astounding given the higher living costs of our Asean neighbour.
If calculated by distance, the fare per kilometre in Thailand, at US$0.478, is higher than the London rail system, which charges $0.402, the institute said. The fares per kilometre in Hong Kong and Singapore are much lower at $0.155 and $0.075 respectively.
With such a fare structure, only upper middle class earners can afford the system.
The high cost is blamed on the fact that the operators insist on a base fare, meaning there is no discount for commuters making a connection. Prices for each rail system range from 14-45 baht per trip, depending on the distance. For passengers taking two systems, they could end up paying almost 90 baht for a single trip. Moreover, there are concerns that the cost of travel will go up further when more rail lines are operational.
Some countries, like Japan, have removed the base fare to make their public transport systems affordable. In Japan, common ticket holders making a connection are entitled to a 50% discount on fares.
In order to compensate for the loss of income from base fare eradication, the operators are allowed to earn income from renting space and showing commercials. Both the MRT and BTS operators also earn extra income but still fiercely refuse to do away with the base fare, instead charging passengers in full. There are reports that the soon-to-be-implemented 2.0 version will also keep the base fare intact.
In fact, base fares are a contentious issue that has stalled the common ticket system for a long time.
Transport experts, including those from the TDRI, have called for the government to step in and provide a subsidy so that the removal of the base fare would be possible. The proposed subsidies include a tax deduction for those using public transportation. But the response has not been positive.
It needs political will, and no more foot-dragging, for decision-makers to tackle the issue and make public transport truly affordable for all.