City Hall has written to the Interior Ministry, reiterating its position in objecting to the renewal of the concession for the BTS Green Line railway extensions.
Bangkok deputy governor Wissanu Sapsompol said governor Chadchart Sittipunt has signed a letter replying to the Interior Ministry's request for his view on the renewal. It says that City Hall executives stand by their decision that the concession for the BTS Green Line extensions -- for the Bearing-Samut Prakan and Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot sections -- should not be extended.
Instead, they insist the current concession should be allowed to expire in 2029, it said. Also, City Hall has asked that the government subsidise the costs of infrastructure for the extended sections, it said. If the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration footed the investments alone, fares would be too high, it said.
Earlier, the Bangkok Council rejected a motion from the governor asking it to consider whether City Hall had the authority to collect fares for BTS Green Line extensions.
Mr Chadchart had tabled a motion seeking the council's opinion regarding the operations of the Green Line and fare collections for the Bearing-Samut Prakan and Mo Chit-Saphan Mai-Khu Khot sections.
However, the council rejected the motion, citing a lack of information. It suggested that City Hall's transport committee study the matter and present a report to the council first.
"Attendees at the meeting agreed that City Hall has no authority to collect fares for Green Line extensions," Mr Chadchart said previously. "Such authority lies with a committee set up by a Section 44 order by [now defunct] National Council of Peace and Order."
