City bus operators are demanding a long overdue fare hike to cover their operating costs, according to the concession bus association.
About 200 bus operators and their staff, who were granted concessions by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority to run services in the city, will meet at the Transport Ministry on Monday to petition Transport Minister Arkhon Termpittayapaisith for fare increase.
The association said it had sent in an earlier petition to the minister, which still remains unanswered, and they now want action.
Bus operators say the flat-rate fare for non-air conditioned buses should be raised from nine baht to 12 baht, and the fare for air conditioned buses increased to 15 baht, up from 13 baht at present.
Pattarawadee Klomcharoon, president of the concession bus association, said the previous fare hike from eight to nine baht for non-air conditioned buses was not enough to cover investment costs and some operators are now struggling.
Bus operators have to take out loans to convert their diesel fleet to run on natural gas to comply with government's regulations, she said.
Ms Pattarawadee added that operating costs, including depot parking fees and road insurance, have also gone up.
Operators don't have the funds needed to keep them in a tip-top shape, let alone upgrade their fleet, she said.
Allowing bus operators to raise their fares further would help lift the standard of bus services in the city, she said.
Ms Pattarawadee added the association is calling on the department to look into the delays in issuing public transport operating licences to some bus operators.
The operators also want to meet Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, to ask for help to offset their losses.
