I rarely use Bangkok’s BTS skytrain anymore as the MRT underground is cheaper, faster and often less crowded in my area of town, but I was a little surprised to see today’s news that Bangkok’s BTS skytrain fares are likely to increase in 2013 — by up to 25 percent more. That is a huge increase and a big disincentive to not use the skytrain at all it would seem.
According to the Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc (BTSC), they are having to increase sky train fares due to the new 300 baht per day minimum wage and because the price of electricity will be rising 10 percent in the next couple of months. This even though the skytrain has had record profits in the last year. Nice, eh?
There’s no fixed date yet, however, as to when BTS fares are going to increase but the BTSC says sometime between April and June, 2013, but they will give passengers a 30-day notice before they do.
My suggestion if you’d prefer not to pay increased BTS skytrain fares? Use Bangkok’s excellent bus or boat systems where possible, especially if you’re traveling before or after rush hour.
They’re both far far cheaper, better managed and, in some cases, you’ll be less crowded than on the BTS as, for some bizarre reason, BTS management refuses to add more carriages to trains so overcrowding is becoming an issue.
Meanwhile, see what the Bangkok Post has to say about the 2013 BTS skytrain fare increase here.