Bus operators press for payment of delayed Songkran subsidies

The Thai Bus Operators Association has submitted a petition to the Transport Ministry urging the government to expedite delayed subsidy payments from the Songkran price-freeze scheme, while calling for a complete overhaul of regulations and fines which, they claim, are out of touch with the current business environment.

Asanee Cherdchai, president of the association, stated today that many operators have yet to receive their compensation despite submitting all required paperwork. He noted that bureaucracy has forced businesses to resubmit documents multiple times, severely crippling their cash flow.

"Since April, several operators have been left empty-handed, despite cooperating with the government's request to freeze fares during a period of soaring fuel costs," Asanee said.

Apart from the delayed payments, operators have voiced deep frustration over what they described as unfair law enforcement. Fines for certain administrative violations have skyrocketed from hundreds or thousands of baht to tens of thousands.

For instance, picking-up or dropping-off passengers outside designated zones or operating without an on-board bus attendant now incur steep penalties. "The most crippling issue is the fine for improper passenger drop-offs, which can reach up to 50,000 baht, even though drivers are simply accommodating passengers," Asanee added.

He urged authorities to revise these penalties to reflect better the current economic realities.

Furthermore, the association has proposed that The Transport Company reviews its 2004 joint-service regulations to cut bureaucratic red tape, adjusts fee collections based on actual trips made and allows operators to participate in regulatory amendments. They also called for a fair appeals mechanism.

In response, Deputy Transport Minister Siripong Angkasakulkiat disclosed, after a meeting with operators, that the ministry is aware of their grievances and is actively working to resolve the issues.

He confirmed that The Transport Co. has verified the subsidy documents and will begin transferring funds to operators this week, with payouts continuing into next week.

The ministry is also reviewing certain penalties related to service standards, suggesting that enforcement could be relaxed during a transitional period to allow businesses time to adapt. While non-safety-related fines might see some leniency, passenger safety remains entirely non-negotiable.

Siripong emphasised that strict legal action will persist for critical violations, including unauthorised route changes, abandoning passengers or any action which compromises travel safety.

Consequently, the operators' proposal to extend the service life of passenger vans or delay the transition to minibuses will be judged strictly on public safety standards.

To offer long-term relief, the Department of Land Transport is preparing to hold talks with the finance ministry to hammer out support measures for operators transitioning to clean energy or electric vehicles (EVs), aiming to reduce operational costs permanently.