Bangkok MTA to trial new hybrid buses from June 16

[webfact]

BMTA to trial new hybrid buses from June 16

 

 

BANGKOK, 31 May 2018 (NNT) – Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has geared up to test run a hybrid bus it created in cooperation with Hino Motors Sales (Thailand) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) one seven routes starting this June 16. 

The low platform air conditioned bus, which runs on both diesel fuel and electricity, will come fitted with modern technology. The fleet was assembled in Thailand and each bus measures 12 meters in length, seating 35. Their engines are both 250 horse power diesel engines and 90 kilowatt electrical engines, which can both self-charge and run on B20 biodiesel if needed. 

Minister of Transport Akhom Termpittayapaisit indicated Hino and JICA donated the initial fleet of buses to the BMTA without condition so that they can be test run this June to September. 

Hino previously provided BMTA with 10 meter long hybrid buses for a 2 year trial and found out that the vehicles get 3.5 kilometers to the liter of fuel and save up to twice as much fuel as standard diesel buses. They also emit only 76,926 kilograms of exhaust a year, 48.56 percent less than conventional vehicles. The findings were applied to the new 12 meter long model, which is better suited to service in Bangkok. 

The acquisition of hybrid buses is part of the BMTA’s rehabilitation plan, which was approved by the State Enterprise Policy Office. The BMTA board is currently looking into how it can acquire 3,000 new buses ranging from NGV fueled to fully electrical and hybrid. It is studying what types of buses are best fit for Bangkok and are in sync with the nation’s circumstances.

 

-- nnt 2018-06-01

 

[canuckamuck]

But can the driver still text while he drives?

[Srikcir]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

The BMTA board is currently looking into how it can acquire 3,000 new buses ranging from NGV fueled to fully electrical and hybrid.

Seems some history was lost with that statement.

• March 2015 the Minister of Transport ordered the Department Land Transport and BMTA to conduct a study to replace its fleet totaling 3,183 buses of NGV and diesel driven buses with electrical fueled buses.
• In March 2015 BMTA would buy 489 new NGV buses
• In September BMTA decided it would renovate 672 existing buses given the higher cost for NGV and electrical buses.
• In March 2016 BMTA renewed its plan to buy 200 new "cool" electric buses.
• In July 2016 PM Prayut recommended that BMTA consider hybrid buses and BMTA responded that it will include more diesel-electric hybrid buses in its plans.
• In December 2017 BMTA would buy another 489 new NGV buses.

So to date BMTA's plan leaves 1,333 buses remaining to be replaced. I don't see how BMTA is "currently looking into how it can acquire 3,000 new buses ranging from NGV fueled to fully electrical and hybrid." In 2017 BMTA had a massive accumulated debt totaling over 100 billion baht plus annual operating loss of 4-5 billion baht. So it's unlikely that BMTA decided to buy more buses than its original plan of 3,183 buses.

 

[africasiaeuro]

Sorry, I don't get this. " They can run on Bio Diesel IF needed " ...

What is needed to reduce pollution is not an " IF ". It needs a firm and clear committment. And Diesel fuel is the greatest pollutant we know of, so when why the " IF "?

Hybrid alone will not cure the problem, Electro Buses will. Surely there are many more options than from " Hino ". LPG is one, French company Heuliez is one : http://www.heuliezbus.com/fr/ believ they know their trade. 

[Srikcir]

18 minutes ago, africasiaeuro said:

Sorry, I don't get this. " They can run on Bio Diesel IF needed " ...

What is needed to reduce pollution is not an " IF ". It needs a firm and clear committment. And Diesel fuel is the greatest pollutant we know of, so when why the " IF "?

Hybrid alone will not cure the problem, Electro Buses will. Surely there are many more options than from " Hino ". LPG is one, French company Heuliez is one : http://www.heuliezbus.com/fr/ believ they know their trade. 

Last year Singapore started using 50 diesel hybrid buses supplied by Volvo East Asia Pte Ltd.

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/50-diesel-hybrid-buses-be-road-second-half-2018

In Thailand PM Prayut's suggested use of diesel hybrid electric buses supplied by Japanese Hino may be more of a political strategy (encourage more Japanese investment in Thailand) than pollution considerations.

[Cadbury]

10 hours ago, Srikcir said:

Seems some history was lost with that statement.

• March 2015 the Minister of Transport ordered the Department Land Transport and BMTA to conduct a study to replace its fleet totaling 3,183 buses of NGV and diesel driven buses with electrical fueled buses.
• In March 2015 BMTA would buy 489 new NGV buses
• In September BMTA decided it would renovate 672 existing buses given the higher cost for NGV and electrical buses.
• In March 2016 BMTA renewed its plan to buy 200 new "cool" electric buses.
• In July 2016 PM Prayut recommended that BMTA consider hybrid buses and BMTA responded that it will include more diesel-electric hybrid buses in its plans.
• In December 2017 BMTA would buy another 489 new NGV buses.

So to date BMTA's plan leaves 1,333 buses remaining to be replaced. I don't see how BMTA is "currently looking into how it can acquire 3,000 new buses ranging from NGV fueled to fully electrical and hybrid." In 2017 BMTA had a massive accumulated debt totaling over 100 billion baht plus annual operating loss of 4-5 billion baht. So it's unlikely that BMTA decided to buy more buses than its original plan of 3,183 buses.

 

I am not so sure the massive BMTA debt and ongoing losses will be a problem. I think at the appropriate time the election factor will come into play. 

After the BMTA lean on him I am sure PM Prayut will throw some vote buying money at it as he continues his cash-splash election campaign.

I am predicting the media announcement will read "Prime Minister releases funds to buy nice new "clean" buses to help long suffering Bangkok commuters". Story supported by photo of PM beaming his familiar warm-hearted and benevolent smile. Money to him is a bottomless pit.