Image: MRTA

 

By The Phuket News

 

PHUKET: Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob has ordered an in-depth analysis of a proposal to dump the Phuket light-rail project in favour of a ‘smart bus’ system that would reduce the cost of launching a mass transport option on the island by some B15.2 billion.

 

The order came yesterday (May 13) during a teleconference Mr Saksayam held to follow up the progress of transport projects in regional main provinces, reports state news agency MCOT.

 

Mr Saksayam explained that the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA) has proposed to change the type of transport system to be rolled out in Phuket from light rail to a bus-based operation.

 

Full story: https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-smart-bus-considered-to-replace-light-rail-save-b15-2bn-80000.php

 

 

-- © Copyright Phuket News 2021-05-14

 

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Phukets new and old smart bus lol.  15.2 billion will be spend for captain chidchob and the happy smart bus drivers!

To resolve the issue, the agencies suggested delaying the launch of the Phuket mass transit system until 2030.

“If we work on the construction of the public transport project and the Patong tunnel project, which are currently planned to open in 2026 and 2028 respectively, at the same time, the construction will affect the traffic on the island very much,” he said. ????????

How about the elevated mono rail  in Pattaya still going on ????

 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

a bus-based operation.

 

I'm sure one of these would be a great attraction to view the Phuket seaside!!

 

 

Not too sure I could wear a hazmat suit just to ride on a bus.....

That is disappointing.

 

It would have been really good.

Did anyone really expect that this pipedream ever would have materialized ? Give it some time and the smart bus idea will fade, too,  and we are back to square one. Which is not too bad, just avoid the taxis and tuk tuks.

Oh dear, they are real geniuses. Who would have thought that the implementation of a bus service is way cheaper than a rail system.

Now tell me how much money has been spent to find this out....

I just read the whole newspaper article and they must be out of their mind. A driver less fully automated bus vehicle? What have they been smoking? And from what parallel universe this vehicle will be imported?

Just extend the existing bus system so that it is useful for locals and tourists as well. But this won't happen because of the Tuk Tuk and Taxi mafia on the island. Currently you can't even take a bus to any beach except Patong, unless you change to Songthaew somewhere.

Is that so hard? For gods sake hire foreign consultants that have experience with tourist areas and introduction of bus systems, it's not rocket science....

2 hours ago, CLW said:

I just read the whole newspaper article and they must be out of their mind. A driver less fully automated bus vehicle? What have they been smoking? And from what parallel universe this vehicle will be imported?

Just extend the existing bus system so that it is useful for locals and tourists as well. But this won't happen because of the Tuk Tuk and Taxi mafia on the island. Currently you can't even take a bus to any beach except Patong, unless you change to Songthaew somewhere.

Is that so hard? For gods sake hire foreign consultants that have experience with tourist areas and introduction of bus systems, it's not rocket science....

A driver less automated bus vehicle makes sense.  The Tuk Tuk and Taxi mafia will have no driver to threaten.

43 minutes ago, Kopitiam said:

A driver less automated bus vehicle makes sense.  The Tuk Tuk and Taxi mafia will have no driver to threaten.

And maybe for the planned opening in 2030 there will be driverless cars and buses ????