The Department of Rail Transport is preparing to transfer the Green and Gold Line trains back to MRTA within this week, accelerating the implementation of the EMV card system to replace Rabbit cards, controlling fares between 17-45 baht exclusively for Thai citizens, with the goal of linking all lines by the new year 2027.
Mr. Pichet Kunathumrak, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport (DRT). He revealed that progress on transferring the Green and Gold Line trains from Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) back to the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) will initially involve a board meeting on the Electric Train Fare Steering Committee within this or next week to expedite the transfer of assets, liabilities, and contract amendments.
The projects that can be transferred first include the Gold Line between Krung Thonburi and Khlong San, the first extension of the Sukhumvit Line from On Nut to Bearing, the Silom Line from Taksin to Bang Wa, and the second extension of the Green Line from Mo Chit to Saphan Mai to Khu Khot and from Bearing to Samut Prakan. These transfers are accounting transactions between government agencies and can be executed immediately.
Mr. Pichet added that the main Green Line Sukhumvit section from Mo Chit to On Nut and Silom section from National Stadium to Saphan Taksin currently under concession contracts expiring in 2029 (CE 2029) are planned to have their contracts switched from private operators to MRTA. If contract changes are not possible, the government will wait until the concession contracts expire.
“The policy to keep fares between 17 and 45 baht will not pose problems even with existing concession contracts because the government will directly subsidize citizens, while private operators will continue to collect fares according to their contracts,” Mr. Pichet said.
Mr. Pichet continued that amid concerns about the Green Line’s current inability to support EMV cards, during this transition period, the public should adapt by switching from Rabbit cards to EMV cards. EMV is a platform that allows the government to immediately clear payments between lines, especially for cross-line travel that requires knowledge of origin and destination, which current operator ticket systems cannot connect in real-time.
The EMV system acts as a back-end platform to verify balances and refund fare differences to passengers within three days.
Meanwhile, the Department of Rail Transport has discussed with BMA and operators plans to install additional EMV systems on the Green Line, starting with mobile card readers at special gates for disabled passengers as an alternative channel for those eligible for the 17-45 baht promotion. Operators are also studying upgrading Rabbit cards to EMV systems.
“It is confirmed that the 17-45 baht fare rights are limited to Thai citizens only, as EMV systems can verify identities through banks via credit and debit cards. The aim is that by the new year 2027, all train lines will support an integrated ticketing payment system,” Mr. Pichet said.
Foreigners will continue to pay regular fares, which is appropriate given the high number of tourists using the Green Line. It is expected that citizens will adapt similarly to the Purple and Red Lines, where a 40 baht all-day fare promotion increased ridership.
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