Pattaya Mini Bus Service To Begin In January 2005

[george]

Pattaya mini bus service to begin in January 2005

Will not interfere with baht bus customers along Sukhumvit and Jomtien

PATTAYA: -- Suriyont Glindee, operations manager for Pattaya Beach Bus Co. Ltd. announced that Pattaya’s mini bus service will go ahead as scheduled. “At this time everything is ready to go, the only thing remaining is a public relations campaign to inform residents of the new service. We will begin service on January 25, 2005,” Suriyont said.

Some people, however, are not convinced it will help. “As far as an increase in traffic jams, this will certainly happen in some areas but the city administration is in the process of reviewing traffic regulations. The mini bus service is a new dimension for public transport and is a sign of the city’s commitment to development. We don’t believe that the new service will create problems for Pattaya’s baht bus operators because the buses will run on different routes and the target passengers are tourists and residents who prefer to use the air-conditioned service as a primary mode of transport,” Suriyont said.

The planned bus routes due to begin in January 2005.

Suriyont went on to say that he believes the service will benefit residents and that it is a positive step in the development of Pattaya’s public transport system. “The service will add quality of life to residents and tourists because of added safety and convenience. This is just the first step in providing a comprehensive public transport system in Pattaya,” he said.

“This will also lead to an increase in tax revenue for the city, which in turn will allow other areas to be developed,” added Suriyont, who also cited an increase in employment opportunities, and that this will make the city more accessible to people outside the center.

Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn told reporters that this year is the start of Pattaya’s transport development and the new mini bus service is just one of the methods planned to reduce traffic problems.

“Currently the city is facing many traffic problems and this is an opportunity for private enterprise to help reduce these problems. It (the mini bus service) will benefit residents and tourists, and conserve valuable energy resources,” said the mayor.

“The aim is also to reduce the amount of vehicles on the road, especially during weekends and public holidays. Recent figures have shown that Pattaya has 200 new vehicles on the road each month and on weekends and holidays these figure soar due to the numbers of people visiting the city, which causes major traffic problems,” added the mayor.

The mayor also went on to say that plans are now underway to improve the roads, which includes computer controlled lights using sensor technology along Sukhumvit Road and at major intersections, as well as widening and resurfacing two roads. The first, a 10 kilometer stretch along the railway line and the new Jomtien Second Road which is already through the planning stage and due to begin construction in the very near future.

“Apart from this, future plans include the possibility of reducing the number of private vehicles in a 54 square kilometer section of the city and build a large parking facility which will be serviced by buses and/or a small train or tram service. We have requested a consulting company to look into the feasibility of the project, as well as look into traffic planning on a short, medium and long term basis, especially with the opening of the new Suwanabhumi Airport next year when we can expect to see a 20 percent increase in visitors,” added mayor Niran.

The Pattaya Beach Bus Co. Ltd. received permission from the Land Transport department on September 28 and has a 7 year authorization to operate.

They will begin servicing 3 main roads with 5 routes; Route 1: From Kratinglai 3-way intersection to Wat Intanararam to Jomtien Beach via Thappraya Road, Pratamnak Road, Dolphin Roundabout, Naklua market, Banglamung district office and to the Kratinglai 3-way intersection (6 buses).

Route 2: North Pattaya bus station, North Pattaya Road, along Sukhumvit Road to Jomtien Beach, Thappraya Road, Pattaya Third Road and along North Pattaya bus station (5 buses).

Route 3: From Soi Potisan (Naklua) along Sukhumvit Road, South Pattaya Road, Chaiyamongkhol Temple, along Pattaya Second Road and Pattaya Naklua Road to Soi Potisan (7 buses).

There will be three types of services: 18 Air-con buses on general routes, 4 buses designated for special tourist routes, and 2 buses specifically for disabled passengers.

Three colors will define the routes: Yellow (Route 1) 20 kilometers in length with 6 buses providing general service and tourist service, including 2 buses for the disabled. Green (Route 2) 12 kilometers in distance including general and tourist services. Red (Route 3) 16 kilometers in length providing general and tourist services.

The bus service is scheduled to run from 6 a.m. to midnight daily with adjustments to be made according to demands.

Proposed ticket prices are: One way - 30 baht for the entire length of route; One day ticket - 90 baht; Three day ticket - 180 baht; Monthly ticket - 900 baht. City administrators have suggested that Pattaya residents be eligible for a discount of 50 percent of the monthly ticket purchase, bringing the price down to 450 baht, as well as provide a student monthly ticket for 350 baht as part of the New Year gift.

--Pattaya Mail 2004-10-29

[astral]

Organised routes is a good idea.

I hope they plan to publish the route info in English/French/German etc

for tourists.

It will save them being ripped of by the Baht buses.

The 30 baht fare for the full journey is OK, but excessive if you only want to go 2-3 stops. Why not have a distance rated fare, based on say 3 zones on each route?