Bangkok Transit Buses Raising Fares to 15-25 Baht as Fleet Shifts to Electric
Bangkok's transit authority is replacing its diesel fleet with 1,520 electric buses by May 2027, raising fares from 8 baht to 15-25 baht depending on distance while offering subsidies for low-income riders.
Deputy Prime Minister Pipat Ratchakitprakarn announced the transition during BMTA's 50th anniversary celebration, revealing that switching from diesel to electric buses will reduce operating costs, particularly in maintenance and energy expenses. The electric vehicle program covers 1,520 buses on a seven-year lease valued at 14.9 billion baht, with deliveries split into three batches ending by May 2027, while the government is procuring an additional 800 electric buses to be deployed in 2027.
With the transition from non-air-conditioned to air-conditioned electric buses, fares will increase from a flat 8 baht to 15-25 baht depending on distance. The government is coordinating with the Finance Ministry to protect low-income passengers by subsidizing fare increases through the national welfare card program. The Transport Ministry is also implementing an integrated ticketing system with electric trains beginning January 2027, expanding to buses and ferries during the year to provide seamless travel across Bangkok's public transport network.
BMTA Director Kittikarn Jomduang stated that the first batch of 1,520 electric buses will fully replace the current red buses by May 2027, while a second phase of 800 electric buses worth 8.4 billion baht is in preparation, with procurement expected in early 2027 and delivery by late 2027. By end of 2027, BMTA will operate 2,320 air-conditioned electric buses alongside 486 NGV buses and 323 Euro II NGV vehicles to provide comprehensive clean-energy public transit across the metropolis.
