Thailand's Public Transport: What Works, What's Next - and lessons for Aus & NZ

Having recently used Thailand's public transport system we can say this...

Bangkok has quietly become one of Asia’s most dynamic public transport cities. With 279 km of urban rail, 193 stations, and 1.4 million daily riders, the network now spans BTS Skytrain, MRT metro, monorails, Airport Rail Link, and the SRT Red Line.

In addition, there is an often-overlooked large bus system and network that supports rail...one that is undergoing significant EV upgrades.

In short, the city moving millions every day via public transport — locals and tourists alike. And Tourism is something that Thailand does well.

Today we thought we would explore what is done well, key upgrades, and any take home lessons from Australia and New Zealand.

Firstly...What Does Thailand Do Well?

Quite a lot it turns out. Key wins include:

• Network Expansion & Interchanges: BTS and MRT extensions have created strong hubs like Siam and Tao Poon, unlocking network effects.

• Fare Pilots for Equity: The THB 20 flat fare on Red & Purple Lines boosted ridership by 50%.

• Tourist-Friendly Airport Rail: Clear wayfinding, simple fares, and direct BTS/MRT links make ARL a default choice for visitors.

• Monorails for Medium-Demand Corridors: Pink & Yellow Lines fill gaps without heavy rail costs.

• Bilingual Wayfinding: Thai/English (and increasingly Russian) signage and announcements ease navigation for millions of tourists.

Where Improvements Are Needed

As with any city or public transport network, there are always areas where improvements can be made. Key improvements include:

• Integrated Ticketing: Multiple cards and fragmented fares remain a pain point.

• Bus Modernisation: EV rollout is promising, but reliability and real-time info need work. Also making sure bus workers are protected and not working extensive hours is key.

• Consistent Wayfinding: A single map and unified branding would simplify the user experience.

• Pedestrian-Friendly Interchanges: Orange Line construction is a chance to prioritise walkability.

• Regional Rail Upgrades: Double-tracking and signalling improvements could transform intercity travel.

Who Does The System Actually Move?

• Urban rail: ~1.4M riders/day (BTS, MRT, ARL, SRT combined)

• Airport Rail Link: ~70k/day (this is a high number by International standards)

• Buses: Millions daily across 3,000+ BMTA vehicles

• Tourists: Bangkok welcomed 30M+ international visitors in 2025 — many rely on rail for cost-effective, air-conditioned travel.

Lessons for AUS & NZ

We thought we would look at lessons both ways here.

From Thailand Aus and NZ could consider the following:

• Building interchanges first, extensions second.

• Use fare pilots to grow ridership quickly.

• Consider monorail/light metro for medium-demand corridors.

• Make airport rail the default mode for visitors.

For Aus and NZ Thailand could consider the following:

• Adopt integrated ticketing & daily caps (like Sydney’s Opal or Auckland’s AT HOP).

• Prioritise bus reliability and frequent networks.

• Design accessible, walkable interchanges as new lines open. This is where things do sometimes fall apart, once outside the rail DDA compliance isn't that great, and walking can be difficult.

Bottom Line

Thailand shows how rapid rail expansion and smart fare policy can reshape urban mobility. For Australia and New Zealand, the key takeaway is clear: integration and interchange design matter as much as new track.

What do you think? Should NZ explore fare caps like Bangkok’s THB 20 pilot for Te Huia or regional rail? Could monorails (and yep, I know how controversial monorails are!!!) work for Auckland’s outer suburbs?

Till next time,

Andrew Collings

p.s. if you ever want to discuss Public Transport, or support on transport projects, please pm me at any time:)

And some photos of our recent cycling trip in Thailand below!

---

Transit Trends · Andrew Collings, KA Advisory. Read and comment on the original on LinkedIn.

Planning a development? Find out in minutes whether you need a transport assessment with KA PreCheck™, or estimate your trips with the free KA Traffic Estimator™.