Pink Buses

[alphason]

Anyone know the detailed routes of the new(ish) 10 Baht pink colour songtaew buses?

They seem to go all over the place in Phuket town area, theres 2 routes one ends at supercheap the other at the market opposite Villa 3 but I can't work out the bits inbetween, thanks.

[phuketsub]

There are two routes and they both follow the exact same routes as the green buses. Price is 10 baht. They added 8 buses a few month ago and said they would add 8 more next month (I think).

The first route: starts at Big C, goes up the bypass road, right on Yaowarat, then left on the road that heads to Phuket Wittayalai school (the maps don't refelct this bit) , right onto Thepkarasattri, then straight along Mae Luan Rd to the intersection with Wichit Songkraam Rd (near Thai Hua School) and back into town, turning right on Soi Phuton (near JuiTui shrine), then left on Bangkok Rd, around Suriadej Circle, then up Yaowarat for a bit, then right on Phang Nga Rd to the Bus Station (BorKorSor). From the bus station it goes south to Surin Circle (I think it is Phang Nga Rd Soi 4 but not sure), further south along Phuket Road down to Saphan Hin, where it does a loop ...the terminus is at the Vocational School.

The second route: Starts at Supercheap and runs south down Thepkrasattri Rd to the Damrong Rd Interesection (Esso Station). Left along Damrong Rd to the intersection of Surin Rd (near Phuket Provincial Hall). South along Surin Rd to the intersection with Phang Nga Rd. West along Phang Nga Rd then around the Bus Terminal (this is where you can change to Route 1 buses), south along Dilok -Uthit 2 Rd to the Fresh Market (near Robinson's) then West along Ong Sim Pai Rd. It goes straight across Phuket Rd and along Kra Rd>Phoonpol Rd.>Bangkok Rd>Chao Fa East Rd>Sakdidet Rd>Phattana Thongtin Rd>Laem Chan Public Health Office is the terminus.

I know this is confusing and I think they should simplify the routes. The plus side is that you can get just about anywhere in the city using just these two routes. The down side is that it generally take a long time to get from Point A to Point B.

However, they are handy in certain situations and the addition of the next eight should cut wait times even further.

I would recommend you just sit on one for the entire route with a map. Highly recommended for tourists: it is a good way to see the city very cheaply and without subsidizing the tuk-tuk mafia.

note: regarding the route numbers, these are my arbitrary assignations. I know they are designated Route 1 and Route 2, but I forget which is which.

I hope this helps.

[alphason]

Thanks Phuketsub thats great!

I see them all the time and I was going to do as you suggest by just hailing one down and doing a loop to see where it goes. You would think they would promote this a bit more, they seem to run from very early am to into the evening also I am sure I have seen them past 7PM?

I don't have a car, don't get on much with motorbikes, tuk-tuks are... well we all know, motorbike taxis are ok sometimes for short trips but really should make use of these buses.

Where did you snap that map?

[phuketsub]

Thanks Phuketsub thats great!

I see them all the time and I was going to do as you suggest by just hailing one down and doing a loop to see where it goes. You would think they would promote this a bit more, they seem to run from very early am to into the evening also I am sure I have seen them past 7PM?

I don't have a car, don't get on much with motorbikes, tuk-tuks are... well we all know, motorbike taxis are ok sometimes for short trips but really should make use of these buses.

Where did you snap that map?

That image was from a sign near Royal Phuket City Hotel. There are other signs around, such as in front of Vachira Hospital, but they are in Thai.

I do think the OrBorJor should do a better job in putting the relevant info in English.