The share price of BTS Group Holding Public Company Limited (SET: BTS) at 10:10 on Tuesday gained 0.81% to THB 6.25 per share. The lowest price during the session was 6.20, and the highest was 6.30, with a total trading value of 34.09 million.
On Tuesday, Suriya Juangroongruangkit, the Deputy Prime Minister, and the Minister of Transportation are preparing to propose to the cabinet a requisition of THB 140 million from the national treasury, as compensation to BTS, Bangkok Expressway and Metro Public Company Limited (SET: BEM), and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for providing free travel for seven day period (25-31 January) to reduce PM2.5 pollution.
Recently, Surapong Laoha-Unya, Executive of Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) and Chief Officer of MOVE Business, reported that currently, BTS has operated four skytrain lines, including the Green Line, the Pink Line, the Yellow Line, and the Gold Line. The company has expected around THB 200 million from the government compensation for seven days of free operation, which is higher than the initial anticipation of THB 140 million subsidize by the government.
BTS has evaluated that the compensation for revenue lost during the free travel period would be THB 180 million for the Green Line, THB 13 million for the Pink Line, and THB 10 million for the Yellow Line, while the Gold Line (THB 1 million) was operating under contract with the Bangkok city, and not a revenue sharing model.
Surapong said the compensation would be discussed with the government after the seven-period to determine an exact number, but BTS is unlikely to settle at below THB 200 million.
