Much emphasis is made on ways to save fuel. Closing service stations earlier is the latest.

Why has nobody ever picked up on the baht buses that clutter the roads, mostly empty. Surely it would make sense for them to work every other day and still make the same money. A rota system would give them time off, save one days fuel, while still earning the same revenue from the double work load on the day they work. Far better than having empty buses driving around, jockeying for too few fares.

Is this too simple?

Much emphasis is made on ways to save fuel. Closing service stations earlier is the latest.

Why has nobody ever picked up on the baht buses that clutter the roads, mostly empty. Surely it would make sense for them to work every other day and still make the same money. A rota system would give them time off, save one days fuel, while still earning the same revenue from the double work load on the day they work.  Far better than having empty buses driving around, jockeying for too few fares.

    Is this too simple? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

An excellent idea. I'd like to see it tried out. But it needs rigid enforcement, something that Thailand isn't exactly known for. Baht Bus drivers aren't exactly renowned for their integrity and the tempation to cheat and work on what should be their days off will be too much for some to resist.

Baht Bus drivers need to be convinced that such a scheme will be to the benefit of everyone, drivers and passengers alike. Passengers may have to wait a little longer and journeys may be a slightly slower due to more frequent stops, but I don't think that too many will suffer any inconvenience because of this.

Perhaps the Department of Land Transport should consider such a scheme as an alternative to any future fare increases. The supply of local transport in Pattaya far exceeds demand and this would be one way of addressing the problem without putting hundreds of drivers out of work or raising fares.