The Bangkok Metropolitan Council (BMC) president has urged the Bangkok governor to back its latest resolutions to deal with the issues surrounding extensions to the BTS Green Line.
Speaking to the media on Saturday, Wirat Meenchainunt said the council had given a full mandate to the governor to make the right decision regarding a price for the Green Line's extended routes.
He insisted the BMC is not against the extended routes but has taken an interest following public concern over the size of the budget, and has assigned a committee on traffic and transport to examine the issue
Previously, Bangkok deputy governor Wissanu Sapsompol said Bangkok governor Chadchart Sittipunt had sent a letter to Wirat Meenchainunt, the BMC's president, to propose fares for each of the two extensions, starting from 14 baht and increasing by two baht per stop, with the maximum per trip capped at 44 baht.
But Mr Wirat expressed concern that these amounts were too costly and instead suggested the BMA adopted ticket prices of 15 to 25 baht for the second-phase extensions of Mo Chit to Khu Khot and Bearing.
Meanwhile, Siripong Angsakulkiat, a representative of the Bhumjaithai Party, said the BMA should ask the cabinet to allow the BMA to bind its debt with the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Siripong also expressed his hope the BMC will make the right decision and amend its agreement with a private company if it is written in such a way that would result in an unfair burden being placed on commuters due to high fares.
