BMTA adjusts bus schedules under new curfew, expects thousands more passengers

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BMTA adjusts bus schedules under new curfew, expects thousands more passengers

By THE NATION

 

 

The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has adjusted its service schedules following a reduction in the government’s new curfew hours from today (June 1).

 

“The curfew has been reduced from 11pm to 3am [from the previous 11pm to 4am] from today,” director Surachai Iamwachiraskul said. “The BMTA now expects this will increase the number of bus commuters by 20,000-30,000 per day to a total 620,000-630,000 passengers per day.”

 

The BMTA is therefore making the following changes to facilitate commuters:

 

1. Increase the number of buses to 2,855 per day, or 95 per cent of total buses available for service.

 

2. Extend the 5am-10pm service hours to 4am-10pm and increase the frequency of buses during morning rush hours (4am-8am) and before curfew (9pm-10pm), with buses running every 5-10 minutes.

 

3. The last buses of the day will leave at around 9pm to allow them enough time to reach the terminal before 10pm. The last three buses of the day will leave 5-10 minutes apart and will have a sign on each windshield displaying that it is the third last, second last and last bus.

 

4. Social distancing must still be maintained on public buses and at bus stops. Each vehicle will not allow more than 10 standing passengers, while only one person is allowed on each row of seats.

 

“Furthermore, passengers are encouraged to return home as early as they can to avoid creating a bottleneck at the period before curfew starts [9pm-10pm],” Surachai added.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30388848

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-06-01

 

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