BANGKOK, May 9 (TNA) – The operator of passenger boats in the Saen Saep canal sought permission to raise fares by one baht.
Chawalit Methayapraphat, managing director of Krobkrua Khonsong (2002) Co which provides the boat service, said the fare rise was necessary because of the increasing price of diesel which constituted 55% of the overall operating cost.
The company informed the Marine Department that it needed to raise its fares by at least one baht. The department already reported the request to the Ministry of Transport.
Earlier Chao Phraya Express Boat Co asked for permission to increase its fares by one baht.
Deputy Transport Minister Athirat Rattanaseth who supervises the Marine Department said operators of all passenger boats and ferries had repeatedly sought a fare hike due to the rising fuel price but the Ministry of Transport had rejected their requests.
The operators had been cooperative but as the fuel price kept rising, the ministry was considering their requests, he said. The ministry would ensure that both passengers and operators would survive, Mr Athirat said. (TNA)
