In spite of significant falls in petrol and diesel prices, public transport fares have yet to return to pre-oil-crisis levels, and this is taking its toll on lower-income earners.

The Transport Ministry has done nothing to address the issue in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces.

Shuttle buses, city buses, vans and motorcycle taxis all increased fares by between 20 per cent and 40 per cent when fuel became more expensive. Last year, petrol prices shot up steeply from Bt19 to Bt30 a litre.

Petrol prices have since fallen to Bt24 a litre today, but there has been no sign of fare reductions.

Economic Reporters' Association member Wajirat Namawat spends Bt84 a day travelling the 30 kilometres from her home in Pathum Thani to Lat Phrao. Add that to higher food prices and Bt3,000 in rent and there is little left over at the end of the month.

Office worker Chansawat Pradu is in the same boat. He travels each day to Suvarnabhumi from Saphan Mai. One third of his monthly income goes on transport. He has done his best to cut costs but due to irregular working hours, often he is forced to spend Bt200 on a taxi home at the end of the day.

"On an average, a white-collar worker in Bangkok has to spend about Bt3,000 a month on transport. I struggle with hefty expenses on my five-figure salary.

"I feel for new graduates earning about Bt7,000 to Bt8,000. How can they survive with the cost of living so high," Chansawat said.

There are those fortunate enough to live near their workplaces. Niwat Phupuak lives in Sala Daeng and spends just Bt14 on buses to work in Pratunam. But, convenience comes with a trade-off. "My apartment building is too crowded. If everyone chose to live near his or her office, Bangkok would be unbearable. If there was a fair and efficient public transport system, I would rather live in the suburbs and commute."

A Transport Ministry source said the government would lower transport costs for freight. But there is no plan for commuters.

The source said the Skytrain and underground railway were not the answer - they are swift, but expensive.

A comprehensive study in commuter behaviour needs to be done to pinpoint the problems and find solutions keeping in mind the rising cost of living in urban areas.

Land Transport Department director-general Silapachai Charukasemrattana was not available for comment.

 A Bang Bua Thong van driver in Nonthaburi said operators should not have to lower fares.

In spite of falling petrol prices, drivers still incur a lot of expenses on other things, he said.

Watcharapong Thongrung

The Nation