The State Railway of Thailand (SRT)'s plan to cancel all free third-class train rides from September 30 would ensure the free-ride scheme would truly aid low-income earners, acting SRT governor Anon Luangboriboon has explained.

From October 1, free train rides will only be available to the 11.67 million low-income earners registered with, and proven as qualified for, the Government's new e-welfare scheme, he said. Anon was responding to criticism that the cancellation of free rides deprived people of their rights and was probably a politically-motivated move. Anon said that free train and bus rides were introduced on August 1, 2008, and the scheme had been renewed periodically in order to help low-income Thais. However, any traveller willing to use the service could do so regardless of their nationality or financial status. To ensure true assistance to Thai low-income earners, the scheme was adjusted so that it would be provided under the e-welfare programme, he said. Anon said that the e-welfare scheme had two parts:' one for the cardholder's use on travel expenses and the other for the purchase of consumer goods.  Cardholders will get Bt500 credit for bus rides and Bt500 credit for train rides paid into their cards per month. The credits can not be accumulate or rolled over to the next month if not used.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by The Nation

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