Phuket to test new ‘Smart Bus’ prototype this month

[webfact]

Phuket to test new ‘Smart Bus’ prototype this month

Shela Riva

 

The buses have Wi-Fi, GPS, electronic ticketing via a mobile application, and an electronic staircase to assist the disabled. Photo: PKCD

 

PHUKET: The finished prototype of Phuket’s much-awaited public transport “Smart Bus” is to be tested in Phuket this month after it was was launched at an exhibition yesterday (Nov 2) at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).

 

The “Smart Bus” prototype was launched at the ‘Bus and Truck’ section of the 14th Commercial Vehicle and Special Technology Exhibition being held at BITEC from Nov 2 to Nov 4.

 

Full story:  https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-to-test-new-smart-bus-prototype-this-month-64564.php

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2017-11-03

[LivinginKata]

Might be better to work on smart bus drivers ... 

[Reigntax]

22 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

Might be better to work on smart bus drivers ... 

 

That will be a hard task!

[madmitch]

The all important question of routes can't been mentioned. I wonder why?

[Psimbo]

1 hour ago, madmitch said:

The all important question of routes can't been mentioned. I wonder why?

Yep- it's always a conspiracy isn't it!

 

From another site: "PKCD are currently negotiating with Phuket Mahanakhon Company Limited with regards to the exact routes the bus will travel to as this company is currently holding concessions on the road from Phuket International Airport to Phuket Town. They will further negotiate with the Department of Land and Transportation for additional routes in the future, which include Phuket International Airport – Baan Kien intersection – Laguna – Cherng Talay – Kamala – Patong – Karon – Kata – Rawai. The overall route is about 50 to 60 kilometers and the fee is estimated between 50 to 150 Baht, depending on the distance."

 

Conspiracy over. 

[DrDave]

This seems like a good idea, but I think negotiations of some sort will be required with the various taxi "associations". Particularly in Patong where in the past, competition has been met with violence (as it's noted that Patong will be served in the future).

[the guest]

Great, now all they need is smart roads.

[NamKangMan]

3 hours ago, Psimbo said:

Yep- it's always a conspiracy isn't it!

 

From another site: "PKCD are currently negotiating with Phuket Mahanakhon Company Limited with regards to the exact routes the bus will travel to as this company is currently holding concessions on the road from Phuket International Airport to Phuket Town. They will further negotiate with the Department of Land and Transportation for additional routes in the future, which include Phuket International Airport – Baan Kien intersection – Laguna – Cherng Talay – Kamala – Patong – Karon – Kata – Rawai. The overall route is about 50 to 60 kilometers and the fee is estimated between 50 to 150 Baht, depending on the distance."

 

Conspiracy over. 

 

"They will further negotiate with the Department of Land and Transportation for additional routes in the future, which include Phuket International Airport – Baan Kien intersection – Laguna – Cherng Talay – Kamala – Patong – Karon – Kata – Rawai."

 

And you really believe these "negotiated" routes will start up????

 

Humor me.  Tell me why you think this bus will be allowed to operate, unimpeded, when others have not been allowed to operate?

[LivinginKata]

7 minutes ago, NamKangMan said:

 

"They will further negotiate with the Department of Land and Transportation for additional routes in the future, which include Phuket International Airport – Baan Kien intersection – Laguna – Cherng Talay – Kamala – Patong – Karon – Kata – Rawai."

 

And you really believe these "negotiated" routes will start up????

 

Humor me.  Tell me why you think this bus will be allowed to operate, unimpeded, when others have not been allowed to operate?

 

What are you talking about - the airport/patong/kata route has been operating for months.

[NamKangMan]

8 minutes ago, LivinginKata said:

 

What are you talking about - the airport/patong/kata route has been operating for months.

 

Unimpeded????  <deleted>.

 

Hobbled from the outset. 

[Destiny1990]

Still not smart enough to reach kata Patong etc.

[Deli]

19 hours ago, LivinginKata said:

Might be better to work on smart bus drivers ... 

I call that a mission impossible

 

[Lupatria]

19 hours ago, webfact said:

The buses have Wi-Fi, GPS, electronic ticketing via a mobile application, and an electronic staircase to assist the disabled.

This was only possible because we saved money on the brake system.

[yellowboat]

It is a nice 3.0 bus.  All of these things have been around for a decade or much longer. 

[d123]

Ho, ho, ho. 

[Jonmarleesco]

I assume they will find a smart driver to test it?

[stevenl]

On 04/11/2017 at 8:49 AM, Destiny1990 said:

Still not smart enough to reach kata Patong etc.

Why not? At present the bus from the airport goes to Kata, Patong etc.

[siam2007]

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

Why not? At present the bus from the airport goes to Kata, Patong etc.

 

that would be new to me

http://www.airportbusphuket.com/timetable.php#phuket-airport

[LivinginKata]

11 minutes ago, siam2007 said:

 

that would be new to me

http://www.airportbusphuket.com/timetable.php#phuket-airport

 

Different bus route. One goes to Phuket Town, the other goes to Patong and Kata.

[siam2007]

1 minute ago, LivinginKata said:

 

Different bus route. One goes to Phuket Town, the other goes to Patong and Kata.

 That must be another company then? Or are you talking about the minivan-service?

[LivinginKata]

Just now, siam2007 said:

 That must be another company then? Or are you talking about the minivan-service?

 

Yes another company and not minivan, more like a small coach. As far as I can tell tell their web site is down.

[stevenl]

26 minutes ago, siam2007 said:

 That must be another company then? Or are you talking about the minivan-service?

Another company.

 

See that LIK already has answered and much more complete.

Edited November 5, 2017 by stevenl

[chub]

Below are some extracts from the response by the Airport Express company to a Question in the Phuket News of 20 September 2016 "Is the Phuket Airport Bus Still Running to Patong".

The company claims it doesn't have a website or email address and its office cannot be found!  They emphasise that no passengers may be picked up en route, (especially between Patong and Karon/Kata!). This company is clearly trying to deter passengers from using its service.

Extracts follow.

-------------------------------------------

We launched the Airport Bus Express to Patong several years ago and later slowly expanded our service to include Kata and Karon. The fare to Patong is currently B150 and to Kata and Karon is B200. Tickets can be bought from the driver. Edit: The fare to Kata and Karon is exactly the same as the Airport Minibus service operated by the same operator. Our buses are cream-coloured with blue stripes. There is another bus service called “Airport Bus” that uses orange buses. These buses go to Phuket Town. If you take this bus, you will need to catch another bus in Phuket Town to take you to Patong. Please note that the bus will depart once it is full. Don’t worry, though, as we have buses departing Phuket Airport every hour. If you are in a hurry, it may be best to take a taxi from the airport. We advise the same to people who are carrying a lot of luggage with them. When you get on the bus, you must tell the driver where your hotel is. The driver will drop you off at your hotel if possible. However, if your hotel is on a steep hill that our bus will not be able to climb, we will ask you to travel in one of our minivans for convenience and safety. Don’t worry, the fare is the same. Passengers can get off the bus (or minivan) at several locations en route to Patong, Kata and Karon. However, the bus or van will not pick up any passengers en route. In Patong, we use Jungceylon as our main “terminal” for buses returning to Phuket Airport. If you want to use our service from Kata or Karon, please call us and we will pick you up. Likewise, if you are staying in Patong, just call us and we will pick you up if we can. Unfortunately, our website is no longer operating and our company currently does not have a contact email address, so it is best to contact us directly for the latest information. For more details or to book tickets in advance, or call us at 076-328291 or 084-0652122. Our main office is near the Bangkok Bank branch on Phang Muang Sai Kor Rd in Patong, near Nanai Soi 8, but many foreigners have trouble finding our office, so I strongly recommend you just call us. – Nikorn Petcharat, Manager, Airport Express Bus