Bangkok cop blames traffic on too many buses

[snoop1130]

Bangkok cop blames traffic on too many buses

By Jintamas Saksornchai, Staff Reporter

 

Traffic jam on Ramkhamhaeng Road. Photo: @Godzilela / Twitter

 

BANGKOK — To reduce Bangkok’s misery-inducing traffic, take some buses off the road?

 

A transport official Thursday slammed a top police officer for citing that unique logic recently to demand buses on Ramkhamhaeng Road be reduced to ease its nerve-shattering congestion.

 

Full Story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/09/13/bangkok-cop-blames-traffic-on-too-many-buses/

 

-- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-9-13

[Esso49]

But that is the logic of most of the pea brained RTP.   BMA and Junta officials.  Stupid says what stupid thinks

[scorecard]

29 minutes ago, Esso49 said:

But that is the logic of most of the pea brained RTP.   BMA and Junta officials.  Stupid says what stupid thinks

Well it is true that there are many large very old red un air-conditioned black smoke spewing buses on Ram. road.

 

In the morning peak hour these buses pass by every 1 or 2 minutes. They are often empty, never more than perhaps 1 to 3 passengers.  

[rkidlad]

Most of the buses are just carrying loso people around. Get rid of 'em! 

[YetAnother]

1 hour ago, snoop1130 said:

A transport official Thursday slammed a top police officer for citing that unique logic recently to demand buses on Ramkhamhaeng Road be reduced to ease its nerve-shattering congestion.

ricking idiots, what the initial guy thoughtlessly inferred was 'too many people'

[NCC1701A]

shut down the Skytrain while you are at it. MORONS.

[webfact]

Bus reduction proposal sparks fierce online debate

By MAYUREE SUKYINGCHAROENWONG 
THE NATION

 

File photo: Ramkhamhaeng Road

 

A POLICE proposal to reduce the number of old, decrepit city buses plying Bangkok’s Ramkhamhaeng Road to ease traffic congestion during morning and evening rush hours was widely criticised on Thai social media yesterday.

 

Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) Bus Operation Zone 6 director Chamnan Yoosa-art posted on his Facebook page that big buses – each can carry 100 commuters – were not responsible for the traffic jams. 

 

 

He said the very idea of reducing them went against various countries’ logic for tackling traffic congestion in big cities by promoting people’s use of public transport. Instead, he suggested other solutions that he considered more effective, such as a police crackdown on offenders and measures to reduce the number of private cars on the road.

 

One man, Piyapat Tosajjawong, said bus drivers often contributed to traffic problem by swiftly changing lines and pushing in front of other drivers. He suggested that police make sure the left lane is reserved for buses so they can easily pick up and drop off passengers at bus stops. He also urged police to better control song-taews, taxis and drivers who park and nip out for a quick purchase from roadside shops. 

 

Prakaiporn Charoenying said the proposal to reduce the number of older buses reflected the authority's view to favour middle-class people more than those with a low income. She urged the government to limit the number of private cars. For instance, those living in a house with no parking space could be excluded from buying a car.

 

 

Academic Decharut Sukkumnoed, head of Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Kasetsart University’s Faculty of Economics, said in his Facebook post that he disagreed with – and was astonished by – the police’s proposal. He said personal cars took up more space when transporting the same number of commuters – compared to buses and bicycles. 

 

 

Many also objected to the idea via the “Rotmaethai.com” Thai bus fan page, saying this solution missed the root of the problem and went against various countries’ promotion of public transport to curb jams. 

 

Thanarak Jingying Rutchapol said that if bus services were less frequent due to this measure, he would arrive at work much later than now. 

 

Rattiya Saynumpung also called for a reduction in the number of private cars and an increase in public transport use.

 

Keerati Panmanee said although he disagreed with removing buses, he could see why people resented them taking up so much space and added a second reason: “Because many bus drivers cut through multiple lanes to reach a bus stop for passengers, then make multiple lane changes again to move on.”

 

This proposal was tabled at a Tuesday meeting of a committee tasked with easing traffic jams on one of Bangkok’s busiest thoroughfares, currently even more congested than normal due to the ongoing construction of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority (MRTA)’s Orange Line. Deputy city police chief Pol Maj-General Jirapat Phumjit, who oversees traffic regulations, said after that meeting that the BMTA had been told to determine which buses were carrying the fewest passengers to best implement the bus reduction scheme. 

 

Another solution, also discussed at the Tuesday meeting, was to introduce Park & Ride spots at shopping mall car parks where motorists could leave their cars and board BMTA-provided shuttle buses to Ramkhamhaeng University, Rajamangala Stadium, the Ramkhamhaeng Airport Link Station and the Ban Thap Chang railway station. 

 

This “Park & Ride” solution was also discussed at a separate Bangkok traffic solution meeting yesterday, Jirapat said. 

 

The authorities have now confirmed the selection of Paseo Mall on adjacent Lat Krabang Road, with space for 900 cars, and the Thaiwatsadu Shop, which can handle 220 cars, as Park & Ride spots which should start as early as next week.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30354423

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-09-14

[Samui Bodoh]

What's the issue?

 

If poor people were 'Good' people, they would have money and a car.

 

Clearly, they are not 'Good' people, therefore they should walk and allow the 'Good' people access to the road.

 

Duh!

 

 

(sarcasm alert)

 

[BurgerGung]

9 hours ago, scorecard said:

Well it is true that there are many large very old red un air-conditioned black smoke spewing buses on Ram. road.

 

In the morning peak hour these buses pass by every 1 or 2 minutes. They are often empty, never more than perhaps 1 to 3 passengers.  

Take the #29 and the #504 buses. The #504 will be almost full when it comes every 30 minutes. It will connect Don Mueang with Central World. While the #29 is often coming every 1-3 minute. Often, there are 3 or 4 within 2 or 3 minutes. And you guessed it, rarely fully occupied.

 

Can't they actually count passenger numbers and then make executive decisions based on facts?!

[bluesofa]

1 hour ago, BurgerGung said:

Take the #29 and the #504 buses. The #504 will be almost full when it comes every 30 minutes. It will connect Don Mueang with Central World. While the #29 is often coming every 1-3 minute. Often, there are 3 or 4 within 2 or 3 minutes. And you guessed it, rarely fully occupied.

 

Can't they actually count passenger numbers and then make executive decisions based on facts?!

In the words of a tabloid editor dealing with 'exclusive specials': "Facts? Don't bother me with facts. Never let the truth spoil a good story."

Same-same with those seeking attention with a cheap publicity shot.

 

[yellowboat]

 

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

A transport official Thursday slammed a top police officer for citing that unique logic recently to demand buses on Ramkhamhaeng Road be reduced to ease its nerve-shattering congestion.

That is just how this place rolls some would say. 

 

Was in a taxi in Taipei stuck in traffic.  Noticed all these buses passing me.  Got out of the taxi immediately.  Bus lanes work.  Electric buses in China are modern marvels.  There are many good mass transit examples to tap into outside of Thailand. 

[klauskunkel]

14 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Bangkok cop blames traffic on too many buses

I am applying this rationale on crime and the number of cops, and I find he is absolutely right.

[amazingbangkokcyclist]

If you force the bus drivers to stay in the left lane and not overtaking this would help to ease the traffic slightly...

Not the best solution, but it might help

[a977]

8 minutes ago, amazingbangkokcyclist said:

If you force the bus drivers to stay in the left lane and not overtaking this would help to ease the traffic slightly...

Not the best solution, but it might help

Damn good start!

[mercman24]

stupid cop with no brain cell,how many cars do i see on sukhumvit road with one person in it, also 10 cars = to one bus, work that one out, and as said already, its cheap transport for Thias (and some farangs), and as to another poster i have never seen a bus with 2 or 3 in it yet, (maybe going past your place) nearly all buses its standing room only

[hansnl]

16 hours ago, scorecard said:

Well it is true that there are many large very old red un air-conditioned black smoke spewing buses on Ram. road.

 

In the morning peak hour these buses pass by every 1 or 2 minutes. They are often empty, never more than perhaps 1 to 3 passengers.  

Well, if you take away half of the buses, half of the cruising empty taxis, it will be better on the roads, not only in Bangkok.

[mok199]

The quality of buses is the issue.in Pattaya some are new quiet and have responsible drivers while most are old smoke belching with drivers who don't have any respect for anything or anyone...

[Araiwah]

How about getting the police out of their air conditioned huts and policing the traffic lights? Stop the 100s of motorbikes blocking the road and holding everyone up because they're passed the solid white line. Also it would be a good earner what with catching all those colour blind <deleted> who think that they are too important to stop for a red light. 

[PatOngo]

It's the busses fault, nothing to do with decades of urban mismanagement.

[RichardColeman]

Maybe it's just me, but i quite enjoy a ride on one of the rickety old rustbuckets to the cinema and back now and then. 

[AsiaHand]

So lets see if there are less buses on the roads,and then there less cars on the road ,and less motorbikes on the road ,then there WILL BE LESS TRAFFIC". WOW this guy must the Poster Boy for the image of Thai thinking. But all joking aside, I would thing that most of those in the government pretty well belong along side of him in the brains department.

[AsiaHand]

OK mister limited knowledge policeman, See that bus? There are 60 people on that bus going to work or school in the morning.They represent 30 to 40 cars that are not on the road at that time. Would rather see  one bus  or  about 35 more cars here ? Hummmm .

[Ulic]

Get rid of the cars, encourage scooters and busses. They take far less space on the road.

Bangkok, car tax, same as London.

[Bob12345]

1 hour ago, hansnl said:

Well, if you take away half of the buses, half of the cruising empty taxis, it will be better on the roads, not only in Bangkok.

How about doubling the number of buses and taxis, and forbidding private cars in Bangkok?

The streets will be almost empty and everybody can reach work in record time.

[natway09]

Some of his simplistic logic is indeed true in that the drivers of buses need to be taught road courtesy in pulling over to the left when stopping, not block two lanes along with staying in the left two lanes, not ducking & diving for over into faster moving traffic

[Pedrogaz]

Sadly we no longer deal in facts, just opinions of people in authority, not to denigrate this officer's contribution.

 

My own feeling is that having lived in the centre of Tokyo, they have solved the traffic problem by implementing a few sensible ideas that cost nothing to implement. 

First, you should not be able to buy a car unless you have an off road parking space and you need to park your vehicle there.

Second ban all parking on all roads, and enforce the ban vigorously.

Third coordinate the traffic lights so that having waited two minutes to join a road you don't have to stop again.

Lastly clear all pavements of vendors and shop overspill, allowing pedestrians to use the pavement.

This is available at next to no cost.

[AsiaHand]

21 minutes ago, Pedrogaz said:

Sadly we no longer deal in facts, just opinions of people in authority, not to denigrate this officer's contribution.

 

My own feeling is that having lived in the centre of Tokyo, they have solved the traffic problem by implementing a few sensible ideas that cost nothing to implement. 

First, you should not be able to buy a car unless you have an off road parking space and you need to park your vehicle there.

Second ban all parking on all roads, and enforce the ban vigorously.

Third coordinate the traffic lights so that having waited two minutes to join a road you don't have to stop again.

Lastly clear all pavements of vendors and shop overspill, allowing pedestrians to use the pavement.

This is available at next to no cost.

I agree but this a country where common sense is an uncommon thing. And Japan is a country hows leaders actual care for and to help their country where as in Thailand those in charge only care about much that they can line their pockets.

[Thingamabob]

I think he makes a good point.

[Media1]

20 hours ago, rkidlad said:

Most of the buses are just carrying loso people around. Get rid of 'em! 

So your telling a old Thai man to walk in the rain. I think they may object to you 

[HHTel]

What a great idea.  Get rid of the buses and force everybody into cars.  That should work........ not!

 

There are of course several options open to the authorities.

 

- Bus lanes

- Charge for entering certain areas in a car between ? and ?.  Works in many countries.  I think Singapore was one of the first.

- 'Park and Ride'.  This has been working very successfully in many cities in the UK, and has done for years.

- Drivers following the 'rules of the road'...... Nah! Forget that one!!

 

There are other options but TIT nothing will be done.