Bangkok Brt Cancelled Due To Red Tape

[The_Other_Mac]

(Background: BRT - Bus Rail Transit - is a concept successfully tested in a few major cities around the world. The intention is to provide a high quality service comparable to subway/light rail systems, with a much lower investment, planning and construction time. They work by providing dedicated lanes (with serious concrete barriers!) in lanes of existing major roads, with either flyovers or automatic right of way controls at junctions. Passengers use train-style stations with air-con platforms, ticketing in advance, etc. The buses are the double-length, snake-style ones with multiple train-style doors. Three routes are/were planned to begin with.)

Story courtesy of 2bangkok.com.

BRT bidding postponed indefinitely due to red tape - translated and summarized by Wisarut Bholsithi from Manager Daily, October 11, 2005

ITD, STECON, and Unique Engineering have submitted the bidding for both lines of BRT (Bangkok Smart Ways). BMA was given a license to run the service and the BMA Traffic Bureau feels confident that the Bangkok Smart Way will be ready for a test run in June 2006 and open for service on August 9, 2006.

However, a cabinet resolution has granted BMTA a monopoly on bus routes in Bangkok and vicinity, so Krungthep Thanakhom and BMA are not allowed to run BRT services. BRT is considered a bus service. BMA would have to ask for an exemption from the government. This would be really hard if not possible to do despite the fact that Land Transportation has granted permission for BMA to run BRT services.

Note: BMA would now feel outraged that TRT has stabbed them in the back again by lulling them into complacency with Land Transportation's license and then stabbing them in the back later using bureaucracy.

More on Bus Rapid Transit - BRT

Also: Nine BRT mockups from the Transport Ministry (2.72MB/pdf)

[ProfessorFart]

You'd only have some arse on a motorcycle driving down it the wrong way all the time.

[Crossy]

If BRT is implemented properly it can work well, this site:-

http://www.env.leeds.ac.uk/its/private/level2/fulllist.htm

Should be studied by the chaps at OTP.

[astral]

I fail to see why an integrated transport policy needs "BIDDING".

The bus comapny needs to upgrade their fare collection techniques to

accept the magnetic fare cards of the MRT system. Then off we go.

BIDDING stinks of filling politicians pockets!!

[Crossy]

I fail to see why an integrated transport policy needs "BIDDING".

The bus comapny needs to upgrade their fare collection techniques to

accept the magnetic fare cards of the MRT system.  Then off we go.

BIDDING stinks of filling politicians pockets!!

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Trouble is even getting MRT and BTS to agree on a common Smart Card system is a nightmare, involving bus companies and the associated revenue sharing system will be a legal nightmare here.

We can only dream of a system like Octopus in HongKong where the card works on the MTR, busses, ferries, photo-booths and convenience stores.