Bus Fare Increase/Route Change

[MaxwellsDemon]

Can anyone tell me what exactly is going on here? I noticed the fare hike some time last week, but then I went aboard Monday to find out the 8 baht fare went back to 6.50.

It appears that some buses haven't even heard of the price hike yet... is that bad communication or am I missing something here?

Also some routes seem to be changing, but my Thai isn't good enough to ask why. Sometimes when I board the 18 it goes all the way to Victory Monument, some times the driver gives up half way and turns around.

Is there any use to trying to decipher the system?

[asanee]

1.-and youve guessed the answer; learn Thai- to understand and read-shorttrip buses have some shield-somewhere-telling how far they go. And most times the moneylady will also yell it out when people board. BUT: then you also have to know the 1000+ parts/points that the BKk-bussystem serves. officially the short-trip signs should be red boards. Yellow means ´´go via expressway´´.

2. there has always been a difference between the BMTA=Govmt. own buses (mainly the old red/cream) and the privates (mostly white)-the BMTA itself has not (yet) raised prices-and if you are happy-or have time/ enough to wait for them- around half are free-which also is clearly indicated in |Thai with big blue+white screens. On the 18 there are also scores of bright all yellow private short-wheelbase buses, mostly charging 10 or 12 bt-i have not seen news that these were also raised.

AFAIK here have been NO big changes to busroutes themselves been announced. As you must have noted/since the last yr the 18 and the 203 serves terribly from congestion due to the new skytrain build in Bang Phlad/sometimes buscrews have had enough of it and skip and go eat rice.

[beano2274]

If there is a red sign in the front windscreen then they are not going all the way to the destination. If the sign is yellow then they are going over the expressway, if the sign is blue or white then they are going to the final destination.

(Information taken from buses in my local area).

I prefer to use blue buses (134 BMTA Bus) or the Metrobus, although I also use the private buses.

Edited May 30, 2012 by beano2274

[MaxwellsDemon]

Ah thanks guys. I usually just take whichever comes first, or if I'm feeling cheap ill skip the yellow bus. The yellow 203 and 18 are definitely running at 12 now, used to be 10 baht. I'll have to keep my eye out for the other ones but I did read a sign in Thai saying ราคา blah blah 8 บาท บลาบลา 6.5 บาท

[dddave]

If there is a red sign in the front windscreen then they are not going all the way to the destination. If the sign is yellow then they are going over the expressway, if the sign is blue or white then they are going to the final destination.

(Information taken from buses in my local area).

I prefer to use blue buses (134 BMTA Bus) or the Metrobus, although I also use the private buses.

Is METROBUS still operating? The #17 which used to pass through Phra Khanong, then onto Rama-4 seems to have disappeared in the last 3 or 4 months. It was always nearly empty; cost more than the BTS for many destinations.

[Nisa]

If there is a red sign in the front windscreen then they are not going all the way to the destination. If the sign is yellow then they are going over the expressway, if the sign is blue or white then they are going to the final destination.

(Information taken from buses in my local area).

I prefer to use blue buses (134 BMTA Bus) or the Metrobus, although I also use the private buses.

Do you have any link that provides this kind of detailed info for somebody wanting to understand how the buses work and schedules/fees and all that? I've never taken a bus here but would be nice to understand how they work and at least it out ... I am not even sure I recognize most bus stops unless people are standing around.

[Lakegeneve]

If there is a red sign in the front windscreen then they are not going all the way to the destination. If the sign is yellow then they are going over the expressway, if the sign is blue or white then they are going to the final destination.

(Information taken from buses in my local area).

I prefer to use blue buses (134 BMTA Bus) or the Metrobus, although I also use the private buses.

Is METROBUS still operating? The #17 which used to pass through Phra Khanong, then onto Rama-4 seems to have disappeared in the last 3 or 4 months. It was always nearly empty; cost more than the BTS for many destinations.

METROBUS still operates (new white buses, driver only with a flat fare used to be 20 baht but now 30 baht I believe) and is quite popular with office workers as pax are basically guaranteed a seat given the higher price. Buses are clean.

Have no idea about the route you mention, why not contact Metrobus direct or Bangkok bus club may have an answer,http://www.bangkokbusclub.com/cms/forum.php

[Lakegeneve]

If there is a red sign in the front windscreen then they are not going all the way to the destination. If the sign is yellow then they are going over the expressway, if the sign is blue or white then they are going to the final destination.

(Information taken from buses in my local area).

I prefer to use blue buses (134 BMTA Bus) or the Metrobus, although I also use the private buses.

Do you have any link that provides this kind of detailed info for somebody wanting to understand how the buses work and schedules/fees and all that? I've never taken a bus here but would be nice to understand how they work and at least it out ... I am not even sure I recognize most bus stops unless people are standing around.

The BMTA site is not very helpful, http://www.bmta.co.th/en/index.php but can give you some idea. The BKKbusclub website above has lots of good info and you can read plenty of updates, info and comment on such issues as the two bus shootings last week.

Really, the best thing to do is buy one of the few bus maps available at Kinokuniya or Asia books shops. Buy one that suits your needs. It goes without saying that they are not all up to date and don't list all private operators.

The ThinkNet Bangkok Bus Guide is a very good, if large, map. However, my personal favourite is the Bangkok Guide Technology Bus routes & Map (5th Edition) which is now 5 years old - waiting for the 6th. It is smaller, lists all bus numbers by route and the map itself has more locality info. It also has a few key areas in greater detail.

[Nisa]

If there is a red sign in the front windscreen then they are not going all the way to the destination. If the sign is yellow then they are going over the expressway, if the sign is blue or white then they are going to the final destination.

(Information taken from buses in my local area).

I prefer to use blue buses (134 BMTA Bus) or the Metrobus, although I also use the private buses.

Do you have any link that provides this kind of detailed info for somebody wanting to understand how the buses work and schedules/fees and all that? I've never taken a bus here but would be nice to understand how they work and at least it out ... I am not even sure I recognize most bus stops unless people are standing around.

The BMTA site is not very helpful, http://www.bmta.co.th/en/index.php but can give you some idea. The BKKbusclub website above has lots of good info and you can read plenty of updates, info and comment on such issues as the two bus shootings last week.

Really, the best thing to do is buy one of the few bus maps available at Kinokuniya or Asia books shops. Buy one that suits your needs. It goes without saying that they are not all up to date and don't list all private operators.

The ThinkNet Bangkok Bus Guide is a very good, if large, map. However, my personal favourite is the Bangkok Guide Technology Bus routes & Map (5th Edition) which is now 5 years old - waiting for the 6th. It is smaller, lists all bus numbers by route and the map itself has more locality info. It also has a few key areas in greater detail.

Thanks a bunch. I didn't even know there were bus maps available. I've got my Thai wife and daughter to help me out but it is so much easier for me to get an over all picture of things before asking them for info.

[MaxwellsDemon]

Google Maps actually does a surprisingly good job at interpreting the Thai buses. It even knows the locations of those "bus stops" without signs.

[Nisa]

Google Maps actually does a surprisingly good job at interpreting the Thai buses. It even knows the locations of those "bus stops" without signs.

Thanks - I forgot they show the routes there.