Ministry of Transport Halts BTS’ 30-Year Green Line Concession in Dispute of Train Fares

The Ministry of Transport declined the approval to extend BTS’ concession for the elevated metro rail Green Line as some issues were left unanswered in the Cabinet meeting on November 17, 2020.

 

The Ministry of Interior proposed in the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday to approve the 30-year concession extension for BTS Holdings Public Company Limited (BTS)’s operations on the elevated metro rail Green Line, but the Ministry of Transport declined the agenda and requested for further detail on the formula of cap fares at a maximum 65 baht per ride, the Economic Internal Rate of Return (EIRR) and Financial Internal Rate of Return (FIRR).

The Ministry of Transport stated that a maximum of 65 baht per ride could burden riders who earn minimum wage (roughly 330 baht per day), which a round trip could cause up to 130 baht, while the Metro Blue Line has a capped fare at 42 baht per ride.