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Public transit fares increase in Vientiane
Bus fares on many public bus routes in Vientiane rose by 1,000 kip recently due to higher oil prices and other cost increases.
The Vientiane Public Transport Enterprise (VPTE) requested the fare increase, which was approved by the government. VPTE is a state-owned company run by the Public Works Department, and maintains public bus services within Vientiane and the surrounding districts.
As a public company, VPTE aims to keep its fare prices as low as possible, but said the 1,000 kip rise was necessary to keep its services viable. The fare price on Thadeua routes increased from 5,000 kip to 6,000 kip, while the Phontong-Dongdok and Donepamay routes rose from 2,000 kip to 3,000 kip.
The Saendin and Namxouang routes went from 8,000 kip to 9,000 kip, while the Donepamay electric minibus route increased minimally from 1,500 kip to 2,000 kip, the bus company said.
Fares on other routes remain unchanged, the company said. Buses travelling to Tadthong, Nongtaeng and Thongpong would still charge 5,000 kip because these routes were still carrying enough passengers to remain viable at the old fare.
“We tried to increase fares on the Thangone route from 5,000 kip to 6,000 kip but the number of people using our service dropped markedly. The drop in numbers eliminated the price rise so we had to maintain the old fare of 5,000 kip,” VPTE planning manager Mr Bouapha Phetmixay told Vientiane Times yesterday.
Only two weeks after the company increased the fare price to 6,000 kip, most public bus passengers had started using private services like tuk tuks and jumbos as they are still charging 5,000 kip, he said.
The VPTE is responsible for about 122 buses in Vientiane as well as long distance routes to provincial areas and neighbouring countries as well, Mr Bouapha said.
Public and private companies both increased their fares from Vientiane to provincial areas in February but they have remained stable since then, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. A trip from Vientiane to Pakxe district, Champassak province, currently costs 170,000 kip, while Vientiane to Savannakhet or Luang Prabang provinces costs 130,000 kip for a VIP ticket or 110,000 kip for a regular one.
The rising number of private vehicles is increasing the pressure on public bus companies, particularly in the local area where journeys are shorter. Tuk tuks and jumbos are often willing to reduce their fares to compete with the bus companies, even though they can carry fewer passengers. Car and motorbike ownership has also increased rapidly in the last five years.
vientiane times
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