Interprovincial bus fares to lower

BANGKOK, August 11 (TNA) -- Public land transportation fares are expected to reduce after a diesel oil price in Thailand has declined to 22.89 baht per litre from 29 baht earlier, said Transport Minister Air Chief Marshal Prajin Juntong. Discussions on the issue will be held this afternoon while it is expected the state-run Transport Co, Ltd and private-run buses that join it in providing services to passengers travelling upcountry would lower their bus fares between 2-3 stang per kilometer, said ACM Prajin. The outcome of today’s meeting will be forwarded to the Land Transport Committee on August 13 before it is enforced a week later, said ACM Prajin. He said a committee would later consider whether to lower fares charged by the state-run Bangkok Mass Transit Authority because many of its buses are powered by natural gas for vehicle (NGV). Plans by the government to float NGV prices this October by the Energy Ministry would affect passengers travelling by NGV-powered buses, he said. The government may offer certain incentives to owners of NGV-powered buses and taxis, otherwise it would pose a heavy burden to the people. (TNA)