Over 1.63 million people used ‘free electric trains’ on the first day

On the first day of the free electric rail service under the PM2.5 dust reduction measures, there were a total of 1.63 million passenger trips, marking an increase of 45.29%. It is anticipated that on the first working day tomorrow, the number of passengers will be high during peak hours.

Pichet Kunathamraks, Director-General of the Department of Rail Transport, revealed that on January 25, 2025, the first day of the initiative to promote the use of public transportation, all electric rail lines and buses of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) were free of charge from January 25 to 31, 2025. This measure was implemented to reduce PM2.5 dust caused by vehicles in Bangkok and its surrounding areas, as instructed by Prime Minister Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra.



It was found that a total of 1,634,446 passenger trips were made on the electric rail system, an increase of 45.29% compared to the average Saturday of the previous three weeks in January 2025. The breakdown is as follows:The breakdown of passengers by rail system is as follows:


Airport Rail Link: 68,903 passengers (an increase of 25.61%, or 14,049 passengers over the average).
Suburban Electric Train (Red Line): 35,705 passengers (an increase of 33.46%, or 8,951 passengers over the average).
Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Line (Blue Line): 451,251 passengers (an increase of 38.00%, or 124,247 passengers over the average).
Chalong Ratchadham Line (Purple Line): 59,160 passengers (an increase of 29.17%, or 13,361 passengers over the average).
BTS Green Line (Sukhumvit and Silom Lines): 857,878 passengers (an increase of 46.07%, or 270,591 passengers over the average).
Gold Line: 18,691 passengers (an increase of 141.95%, or 10,966 passengers over the average).
Nakhonphipat Line (Yellow Line): 63,796 passengers (an increase of 92.68%, or 30,687 passengers over the average).
Pink Line: 79,062 passengers (an increase of 86.28%, or 36,619 passengers over the average).


When ranked, it is found that the Gold Line had the highest increase in passengers, with a 2.42-fold increase compared to the average of the past three Saturdays. Following that, the Yellow and Pink Lines saw increases of 92.68% and 86.28%, respectively. These three lines are feeder public transportation systems that pass through residential areas and connect to the main mass transit lines.

Pichet added that for the intercity trains of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT), a total of 215 trains were operated, with 75,303 passengers. This included 31,850 passengers on commercial trains and 43,453 passengers on social trains, a decrease of 3,116 passengers or a 3.97% drop compared to the average of the past three Saturdays in January 2025.

Overall, on January 25, 2025, a total of 1,709,749 passengers used the rail system, which was an increase of 506,355 passengers or a 42.08% rise compared to the average of the past three Saturdays in January 2025.

Pichet concluded that it is encouraging to see the public increasingly use environmentally friendly electric rail systems, which helps reduce the use of personal cars. This is a step toward lowering carbon monoxide emissions and air pollution, which will also contribute to reducing PM2.5 dust particles.

Tomorrow (January 27), being the first Monday of the week is expected to see a high number of passengers using the electric rail system during peak hours, both in the morning and evening, despite the government's and Bangkok's promotion of work-from-home (WFH) policies.

The Department of Rail Transport has coordinated with the electric rail service providers to increase service frequency during rush hours. Additionally, passenger traffic at various stations will be monitored to adjust service frequency and add more ticketing counters or machines, ensuring that the public can travel comfortably, quickly, and safely.

(2025/01/26-00:00)