Bangkok: The Bus Terminal Company (BKS) will freeze fares until April 19. The Bus Terminal Company (BKT) has announced four measures to assist bus operators affected by the high fuel prices, and will freeze fares for large buses until April 19.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Atthawit Rakchamroon, Managing Director of Transport Co., Ltd. (BKS), revealed after a meeting with bus operators, including large buses, small buses (minibuses), and vans, such as Nakhonchai Air Co., Ltd., Sombat Tour Co., Ltd., Cherdchai Motorsales Co., Ltd., and Busarakham (1993) Co., Ltd., to explain measures to assist bus operators affected by rising fuel prices. Approximately 50 people attended the meeting.
The Bus Terminal Company (BKS) has implemented the following measures to assist bus operators:
1. 'Freezing Fares': The Ministry of Transport has requested public transport vehicles (intercity buses and privately operated buses) to freeze their fares at their current prices from April 6-19, 2026. The Department of Land Transport will use funds from the Road Safety Fund to compensate for the difference. The Bus Terminal Authority (BTA) estimates the compensation amount to be requested at 70 million baht. After this period, fares will be adjusted according to the resolution of the Central Land Transport Control Committee.
2. Minibuses and vans are set to increase fares by 2 baht per 100 kilometers, as determined by the Central Land Transport Control Committee, effective from April 6, 2026 onwards.
3. The Bus Terminal Company (BKS) has held discussions with the Department of Land Transport (DLT) and PTT Oil and Retail Public Company Limited (OR) to prepare sufficient fuel stations and fuel reserves. This is in response to the demand, especially along routes served by intercity buses and privately operated buses, from the origin to the destination.
4. The Bus Terminal Company (BKS) will collect fees from partner bus operators based on actual route travel from April 1-30, 2026. From April 6-19, 2026, partner bus operators with additional trips will compensate for the regular trip price to help them continue operations and minimize disruption to the public.
However, the Bus Terminal Company (BKS), in cooperation with partner bus operators, will freeze fares for large public buses until April 19, 2026, to mitigate the impact of rising fuel prices and help reduce the financial burden on the public during the Songkran festival in 2026, when many people travel back to their hometowns and go on vacation, ensuring their convenience, safety, and reasonable costs.