The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport are preparing to set up a joint committee to study the 20 baht flat-rate electric train project.

Government House, 15 Oct. - Finance Ministry - Ministry of Transport prepare to set up a joint working group to study the 20-baht electric train throughout the line, expecting to set up a fund to buy back the electric train and look at additional sources of funds, emphasizing that the operation will begin in September 2025. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said about the 20-baht flat-rate electric train policy that the Prime Minister ordered the Minister of Transport and the Finance Ministry to jointly study this issue because this is an important policy that the government announced to the parliament and is considered a way to reduce the burden of travel expenses for people in the Bangkok and surrounding areas and reduce the use of cars on the road to preserve the environment. A study must be conducted to determine what methods should be used, how financially worthwhile they are, and where the funding will come from. The ministry will proceed with this matter immediately. Whil e Mr. Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, added that the Red Line and Purple Line electric trains have already started operating at a price of 20 baht. Both lines are government operations, so they can be done immediately and have increased the number of users by 50 percent. This will help improve pollution and reduce expenses for the people. The Prime Minister wants to continue the operation on all lines, whether they are government-owned or privately concessioned. The Ministry of Finance will study the establishment of a fund to buy back electric trains, and it is understood that the Ministry of Finance will hire consultants to examine all the details and additional sources of funds to be used. But for the Ministry of Transport, I have already said that I want people to be able to use the electric train at a price of 20 baht in September 2025. I have already studied the sources of money to compensate. Some of it will come from the share received from the MRTA's Blue Li ne, which can be implemented immediately. However, if the study process between the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport is completed first, that process will be used. As for the part that needs to be issued as a financial law and brought to the House of Representatives for consideration, Mr. Suriya said that the establishment of the fund will require discussion with the Office of the Council of State. It is necessary to study it carefully because there will be a source of money to collect revenue and use the money to buy back the electric trains. However, it must be issued as a law to proceed, which the coalition parties agree on, which is beneficial to the people. He believes that the coalition parties will not have a problem because it is considered a government policy that was jointly announced. -314.-Thai News Agency Source: Thai News Agency