Single ticketing system for Bangkok trains in mid-2017

A common ticketing system linking all train systems in Bangkok is to be launched in the middle of next year, and will be extended to buses later.

Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Tuesday the common ticketing system, the so-called “maengmoom (spider) card’’, would shorten ticket purchase time and queues, and make travel more convenient.

It would be in use by the middle of next year, he said.

The first phase of the plan is for a single ticket for use on skytrains, the subway and the Airport Rail Link, according to Thai media reports on Tuesday.

Passenger buses would not initially be included in the system as 2,000 buses had to fitted with the reading devices first, Mr Arkhom said.

A firm to manage the ticketing system had already been chosen and approval from the Enterprise Policy Office would be sought for the investment under the public-private partnership model, the minister said.

A central clearing house for the common ticketing system had  been set up, he added.

Mr Arkhom said he had ordered the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning to draft a law covering the common ticketing system.

Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/