Free rides to continue to Jan 15
Published: 12/09/2011 at 04:30 PM
Bangkok Post: Online news:
The Transport Ministry will propose that the cabinet extend the limited third-class free bus and train rides until Jan 15 to help people who need to travel over the New Year holiday, Transport Minister Chatt Kuldilok said on Tuesday.
The current scheme of free rides on some non-airconditioned buses on certain routes in Bangkok and third-class trains is set to end on Dec 31.
Extending the scheme by 15 days would cost about 96 million baht in subsidies for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority and 40 million baht in subsidies to the State Railway of Thailand.
Pol Lt-Gen Chatt said after the end of the extension period, the government would consider whether to continue or end the subsidies.
On the high-speed train project, the minister said a feasibility study would be conducted on five routes - Bangkok-Chiang Mai, Bangkok - Sungai Kolok, Bangkok - Rayong, Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima, and Nakhon Ratchasima - Ubon Ratchathani.
The most likely first track would be the Bangkok - Nakhon Ratchasima route, he said.
The high-speed train would operate on 1.435 metre-wide dual tracks. These tracks might be built along the existing 1 metre-wide tracks to save costs.
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