Bangkok is gearing up to launch a common fare policy for electric rail services, capping passenger fares at no more than 45 baht per trip across all lines in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, starting 1 January 2027, according to the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The policy aims to lower public transportation costs and make transfers between electric train lines more seamless. It will cover the entire electric rail network across Bangkok and the metropolitan area, with no extra boarding fee charged when passengers switch between lines.

Here's how it will work: passengers will initially be charged based on the actual distance and fare of their journey. If the total exceeds 45 baht, the government will refund the difference, processed through the "Pao Tang" application or the payment card used for the trip, within three working days, subject to conditions set by the authorities.

EMV Contactless will serve as the main payment method, supporting credit cards, debit cards, and Mangmoom cards. Relevant agencies are already preparing and upgrading ticketing equipment and systems to support the new fare structure. Before the policy officially takes effect, authorities will finalize the fare calculation and refund criteria, establish passenger rights and complaint procedures, and conduct joint system testing to ensure everything is ready for public use.