The cabinet yesterday rejected a proposal of the transport ministry's proposal to end the free bus and train ride scheme and to introduce fare discount scheme instead.

Government deputy spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the rejection of the ministry’s proposal to end the free ride scheme and replace with the discount fare was based on its unclear classification of low income earners’ groups.

He said the cabinet then rejected the ministry’s discount scheme.

Under the ministry’s proposal, it sought cabinet approval to end the free ride scheme when it ends at the end of October this year.

But it proposed that free ride privilege will still be meant exclusively for the aged, the handicapped, war veterans, monks and nuns, and those who were granted rights for 50% discount.

For students not over Matayom Suksa 3 educational level, the ministry proposed they pay one-third of the fares, while those at higher levels and college or university students, they are required to pay two-thirds of the fares. But they are required to display student identification cards.

Besides the ministry also proposed that low income earners qualified for 50% discount must have earning of no more than 3,632 baht a month.

The deputy government spokesman said the cabinet viewed such proposal of low income earners’ earning was unclear if the earning figure was gathered in the capital or in the provinces.

The cabinet suggested that the ministry should have a better tool to clearly classify low income earners in rural and urban areas before coming up with new proposal to end the free ride scheme and introduce discount scheme.

The cabinet then resolved to retain the free ride scheme until end of October, he said.

Cabinet rejects transport ministry's proposed termination of free bus-train ride scheme - Thai PBS English News