May 28, 2008
Bangkok - Thai people complained lot of buses did not reduce the bus fares though the Central Administrative Court banned the fare increase.
More than 20 buses throughout Bangkok did not follow the court’s verdict, according to Chairat Sanguanchue, acting director general of the Land Transport Department.
About 100 people have called in to complain about the bus fares at the hot line 1584.
Chairat said officials were sent to check the bus fares at several points.
Violating bus operators will initially face not more than 2,000 baht of fine.
Mrs. Yupin Bamruerung, a bus ticket collector, said the bus fare which has hiked to ten baht since May 25 is now cut down to 8.50 baht.
Mrs. Sunant Thongpikul, a bus service user, said she had to spend nearly one hour longer on waiting for her bus.
It was reported the private bus operators met today and planned to petition to the court to end the temporary injunction against the bus fare hikes.
The Bangkok Mass Transportation Authority (BMTA) will provide more buses to sufficiently serve the passengers if the private bus operators go on strike.
