BMTA to receive B9.1bn cash influxListen to this articleThe cabinet has approved 9.1 billion baht in funding to boost the liquidity of the cash-strapped Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), which is moving ahead with major reforms aimed at cutting costs and improving efficiency. Transport Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn said the loss-ridden BMTA would shift from owning buses to a rental-based operating model to reduce maintenance and repair costs, which were the agency's main overheads. As part of the reform plan, the procurement of 1,520 electric buses has been completed, Mr Phiphat said. "We will review whether the remaining 400 NGV buses are still necessary once the new fleet is in service. The BMTA currently operates more than 2,800 buses and receives an annual government subsidy of about 885 million baht to maintain affordable fares and support public transport services.

Source: Bangkok Post January 16, 2026 06:40 UTC