Transport fare, toll exemption during Songkran

BANGKOK, March 13 (TNA) – The Transport Ministry will exempt expressway tolls and subway and bus fares to celebrate Songkran from April 11 to 18, expecting about 15 million travelers during the Thai New Year period. Transport inspector-general Saravoot Songwilai said tolls would be exempted on Highway No 7 (Bangkok-Pattaya), Highway No. 9 (Bang Pa-in-Bang Phli), and Bang Na-Chon Buri expressway from 12.01am on April 11 to the midnight of April 18. Electric train fares will be exempted for people aged 60 years old and over on April 13 on Purple Line (Bang Sue-Bang Yai) and Blue Line (Bang Sue-Hua Lamphong). Fares will be also exempted on the Airport Rail Link and buses of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority on the same day. Mr Saravoot also said that the Transport Ministry expected Songkran travelers to number about 15.17 million, down by 5.33% from the same period last year. Transport authorities hope they will reduce traffic accidents and their death tolls by 7% during the upcoming Thai New Year. During the previous Songkran, there were 1,599 traffic accidents which killed 238 people. The Transport Ministry will increase general checkpoints on 77 danger-prone roads and have safety checkpoints especially for passenger buses in 19 provinces including Ratchaburi, Chai Nat, Roi Et, Ubon Ratchathani and Udon Thani. (TNA)