The Transport Ministry expects large numbers of commuters and travellers to use the Airport Rail Link connecting Bangkok and Suvarnabhumi airport when it is fully operational next year, the Bangkok Post reports.
After the 28km line was launched on August 23, the ministry estimated 30,000 to 35,000 people a day would use it in its present operational capacity.
That figure could rise to 50,000 a day when full services begin, permanent secretary for transport Supoj Saplorm said.
The Airport Rail Link offers City Line, which runs from Phaya Thai to the airport with a full range of stops. The 30-minute ride presently costs a flat rate of 15 baht. The Express Line runs non-stop from Makkasan to the airport, taking just 15 minutes and costing 100 baht.
Trains run from 6am to midnight.
The present promotional fares will continue until full services begin.
When the check-in system is installed at Makkasan, the service will be fully operational and the City Line fares will vary from 15 baht to 45 baht and the Express Line will rise to 150 baht.
Transport Minister Sohpon Zarum said the Airport Rail Link was now ready to serve passengers even though the construction of some supporting facilities, such as parking at each station, had not been completed. The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) would speed up the construction, he said.
Mr Supoj said the SRT would soon set up a business unit to manage the Airport Rail Link system and other projects, including the red electric train line. Executives of the business unit were expected to be recruited by October.
The business unit would be called SRT Electric Trains Co and would have initial registered capital of 2 billion baht. The SRT would seek approval from the cabinet to increase the registered capital from 500 million baht to 2 billion baht.
Mr Supoj said the SRT believed the Airport Rail Link would run at a loss during the first three years because of the cost of hiring staff and various experts. The system was expected to make a profit after three years.
The SRT is also drafting the terms of reference for private firms that would be contracted to manage commercial space at eight train stations on the Airport Rail Link system.
President of the Thai Hotel Association, Prakit Chinamornpong, said people using the Airport Rail Link system are likely to be passengers travelling alone or in small groups who want to quickly reach the centre of Bangkok.
Apichart Sankary, managing director of AED Travel Co and honorary adviser to the Federation of Thai Tourism Associations, said the Express Line's 150 baht fare was expensive as passengers would still need to get a taxi from Makkasan station.