Transport Ministry tables bus plan as graft claims fly

BANGKOK: -- The Transport Ministry will today forward the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's controversial NGV bus lease for the Cabinet's consideration despite criticism by the Democrat Party and the People's Alliance for Democracy of possible "kickbacks".

Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri insisted the lease would reduce BMTA's accumulated losses of Bt70 billion by half in the next 10 years. Without the measure, the losses could rise to Bt140 billion in seven to eight years, he said.

"The Democrat accusations of kickbacks worth Bt1 million per vehicle is rubbish. Once the plan is approved by Cabinet, we will draft the term of reference (ToR) for electronic bidding. With this, the bid can be processed transparently," he said.

BMTA will lease 6,000 air-conditioned buses as part of its rehabilitation plan, which require BMTA to reduce operating routes to 145 from 200.

Under the plan, all 3,500 non air-conditioned buses would be decommissioned and replaced by the new buses that start service by May 1 next year.

Songsak also insisted the new bus fares were affordable even to the poor, based on a survey that showed people spend Bt30 a day on transport.

The Democrat Party and PAD on Sunday opposed the plan to cancel the ordinary bus service, saying it would cause problems for low-income passengers and allow for illegal commissions.

BMTA is one of the loss-making state enterprises.

In the next two weeks, State Railway of Thailand's rehabilitation plan will be up for review by Cabinet.

According to SRT chief finance officer Arak Ratboriharn, the plan aims to tackle its accumulated losses of Bt51 billion and highlights the construction of a double-track rail network and Red Line urban train.

The plan also calls for the establishment of two subsidiaries to establish the Makkasan commercial complex and to manage an electric train in the future.

--The Nation 2008-06-09

Crying out for some nice new double deckers.. Carry loads more people without adding to the traffic.