Cheaper bus fares ?

As petrol prices continue to fall, passengers on interprovincial buses are now hoping to hear about lower fares.

The Land Transport Department recently revealed it would reduce bus fares if and when the diesel price fell to Bt19 to Bt21 per litre.

The latest lowering of fares took place last December 1. Director-general Silpachai Jarukasemratana said the department had announced a decrease after the diesel price fell to Bt23.84.

"If the diesel price decreases to Bt19 to Bt21 a litre, I'll ask the Central Land Transport Committee to approve another bus-fare decrease," Silpachai said.

A Nakhon Chai Air Co official said the firm had reduced its bus fares 3 satang per kilometre since last December 1.

The decreased fare saves passengers about Bt20 to Bt30 a seat. For example, the fare from Bangkok to Khon Kaen has been cut from Bt414 to Bt384.

Silpachai said the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority would not lower its fares for non-air-conditioned buses, because they did not increase when the department allowed them to rise last August 1.

Silpachai also asked customers to inform the Centre for the Protection of Public Conveyance Passengers by calling the 24-hour hotline at 1584 if they experienced overcharging, dangerous driving, impoliteness or bad service aboard any public bus or taxi.

Wannapa Phetdee

The Nation
Thu, February 1, 2007