New Phuket Bus Plan Breaks Transport Barrier

[Lite Beer]

New Phuket bus plan breaks ‘transport barrier’

Phuket Gazette -

COMING SOON: The buses have been ordered and the new service is slated to start in March. Photo: Phuket Land Transportation Office

PHUKET: After decades in the planning, a new bus service will launch on the island in March. The new route will travel between Phuket International Airport and the popular tourist beaches of Patong, Karon, and Kata via Tesco Lotus on the bypass road.

For safety reasons, Phuket Land Transportation Office (PLTO) chief Teerayut Prasertpol asked the Phuket Gazette not to name the operator willing to launch the bus route, but he disclosed that the company had signed a seven-year contract with the government to provide the long-awaited service.

The new service will offer “hop on, hop off” bus stops at a maximum cost of 120 baht for the entire route.

“We are not targeting tourists with the new bus service,” Mr Teerayut said. “We are pushing to develop more public transportation options for everyone on the island who cannot afford to keep using taxis and for Phuket residents who often need to travel to the airport.”

“We are planning to install bus stops in Thalang Town, at the Heroines Monument, in Koh Kaew and at the Tesco Lotus shopping mall. There will be only one stop each at Patong, Karon and Kata,” Mr Teerayut explained.

Under the terms of the government concession, the buses must be air conditioned, seat no more than 30 passengers and have room for travellers’ luggage.

“At this stage the buses are set to run every 40 minutes, starting around 6am when the first flight arrives at the airport and ending at around 1am. However, the schedule is flexible. It depends on traveller demand. It is possible the buses may run every 30 minutes. We will see,” Mr Teerayut said.

“We are also considering allowing higher fares to be charged for night buses, but they will not be much more expensive, only about 50 baht more,” he added.

Mr Teerayut stressed that the new bus service will deliver a breakthrough for public transport in Phuket.

“Think about it: If you had 1,000 baht and you were in another province, it could pay for your transport, hotel and food. In Phuket, you need that much for the taxi fare alone.

“But with the new bus service, if you have 100 baht in your pocket, you can now travel in Phuket,” he said.

MAFIA CONCERNS

Critical to getting the company to step up and launch the bus service was gaining investors’ confidence the route will be safe to operate.

“The new route operators have expressed their fears in providing the new service. They asked me what we can do to protect them from being attacked.

“I will be honest in saying that I fear local taxi operators might act as they have done in the past,” Mr Teerayut said.

“However, the situation in Phuket has changed. We cannot take it anymore. People need another option and taxi operators must accept it.”

To allay fears of violent reprisals by taxi driver “co-operatives” on the island, the PLTO had to call in support from nearly every major government office in Phuket.

“The work cannot be done by us alone. Therefore, the PLTO is working with Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut, police officers and local administration organizations. We have even talked to local taxi operators to make this route happen,” Mr Teerayut explained.

“Phuket needs to prove that we can provide public transportation for local people and tourists,” he added.

Gaining investors’ confidence that they will recoup their initial investment also took time, about three years.

“I believe the operators will recover their initial investment in about 18 months with this new route – and they believe so too, that is why they applied to provide the service,” Mr Teerayut explained.

“As I said, we are not targeting tourists. I believe people who prefer the convenience of using taxis will still use them, and they will be willing to pay more for the extra convenience. Public transportation is just another option to support the island’s tourism industry.

“At least tourists will not think that public transport on the island is just one big scam and that they do not even have a choice.

“This time the situation is different. People are more aware of the need to create a good reputation for Phuket. With the new route, we are sure that the kinds of problems we have had in the past will not happen again.

“I personally believe that everyone – even airport limousine drivers and taxi operators in Patong and Kata-Karon – all want to see Phuket’s reputation shine,” Mr Teerayut said.

Source: http://www.phuketgazette.net/phuket_news/2013/New-Phuket-bus-plan-breaks-transport-barrier-20009.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2013-01-20

[noob7]

That will take pressure from the Russian tour operators, methink!

It's always difficult, to fight at two-front-war.

Ask the Germans!

[steelepulse]

I wish this service good luck and hope they are successful.

[geriatrickid]

About time. Unfortunately, I anticipate over crowding will deter many travelers. As well, the thigs at the arrivals section will have to be cleared away. It will be interesting to see if there will be armed guards and escorts in the early days of this service. The taxi syndicates will not accept this peacefully.

[Guest]

It would be nice to see Phuket residents to come together and support these kind of efforts.

[Guest]

It will be interesting to see if there will be armed guards and escorts in the early days of this service. The taxi syndicates will not accept this peacefully.

There could be few technical solutions as well. Crooks don't like media attention, so install few video and still cameras to the buses with automatic upload to network storage.

Install 'red alarm button', which would make loud noises and blink lights - the way ambulances do.

Use strong (I guess bullet proof is needed) glass to separate the driver cabin from the rest of the bus.

[noob7]

The residents have cars! Or moto's.

Also they would stay away, for some weeks, to look at the coincidences, that may or may not occur, as soon the guys in the cans and withy the stickers on the back doors of the cars find out, that a bus line from 6am to 1am, will lead to a lot of destination hoppers between Kata and Lotus.

The calculation, to get the investment back, in 18 month, is not based on the Airport link, but on the Kata-Lotus-Kata part, methinks

As long the guy's can do their thing, like they wanna do it.

"For safety reasons, Phuket Land Transportation Office (PLTO) chief Teerayut Prasertpol asked the Phuket Gazette not to name the operator"

What is the solution? Anonymous company, only not even the drivers knowing the employee?

Or Army in the buses?

Edited January 20, 2013 by noob7

[NamKangMan]

Another problem will be guarding the buses between 1am and 6am.

They don't have to drag out the driver and beat him badly, they can just fire bomb the buses to put them out of business. Armed guards will be needed for these buses, even when they are not operating.

Edited January 20, 2013 by NamKangMan

[TS79]

I really hope this venture will work but have my reservations.

Max 30 passengers per bus every 30/40 minutes? Doesn't make for much throughput? Only 1 stop per Patong / Karon / Kata means people will still need to use local transport in the resort areas.

Anyway, good luck, and yes, definately install CCTV in the buses.

[madmitch]

I really hope this venture will work but have my reservations.

Max 30 passengers per bus every 30/40 minutes? Doesn't make for much throughput? Only 1 stop per Patong / Karon / Kata means people will still need to use local transport in the resort areas.

Anyway, good luck, and yes, definately install CCTV in the buses.

Totally agree with all your comments.

Perhaps the one stop per resort could be acceptable to the local tuktuks as this could generate a number of 200 baht minimum fares, and nobody takes a tuktuk to the airport anyway.

But as for the airport taxi guys?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Edited January 20, 2013 by madmitch

[LivinginKata]

We all know the taxi mafia will just block the airport road and the government officials will just cave. Maybe some one will have the b..ls to call in the army to clear out the illegal mob ... yeh ... dream on.

[keestha]

There should also be a bus from the airport to Khao Lak, a lot of tourists would use this service.

[NamKangMan]

I really hope this venture will work but have my reservations.

Max 30 passengers per bus every 30/40 minutes? Doesn't make for much throughput? Only 1 stop per Patong / Karon / Kata means people will still need to use local transport in the resort areas.

Anyway, good luck, and yes, definately install CCTV in the buses.

Don't forget, they can do the return journey as well. So, that's more baht turnover.

Let's just look at the route from the airport. Say the bus only gets half full, on average. That's 15 passengers. 15 passengers X 1300 baht airport limo fee = 19.500 baht you are potentially taking away from the airport "limo's" every hour. 15 passengers X 550 baht meter taxi fee = 8250 baht potentially away from the metred taxis every hour as well. Of course, the passengers would be a mix of airport limo, metered taxi and minivan customers - these figures are if all 15 bus passengers normally chose that particular style of airport transport.

6am to 1am is 19 hours. That's the potential loss of a lot of business/baht for the taxis. It would be millions of baht a year. As we know, Thai's don't compete in business in Thailand, they just monopolize and/or eliminate the competition or create a labour law to prevent farang from doing the job.

Unless certain influential people are prepared to take a cut in "taxi membership fees" I can only see the option of eliminating the competition being open to them.

Also, another problem I can see is the rip off will now be at the bus stops to your hotel from

the tuk-tuks. Here you are with your lugguge, that is too big to carry 1 kilometer in the hot sun or pouring rain, so, Mr. Tuk-Tuk driver says, "Go your hotel 500 baht."

So, a 500 baht tuk-tuk fare from the bus stop to your hotel + a 120 airport bus fare = 620 baht. This is dearer than just getting a metered taxi from the airport to your hotel. I can see the tuk-tuks drivers doing their best to sabatage this bus service.

Also, it could cause more altercations with the tuk-tuk drivers because first time tourist who traveled 50 minutes on a bus from the airport for 120 baht will be quoted 200, 400 or 800 baht to go a 5 to 10 minute journey in a tuk-tuk. They will argue the price, especially after a few drinks.

Visa runners will be very happy with this service. No luggage, or very little luggage, to carry - 120 baht to the airport. Visa runs just got a whole lot cheaper. Especially when you may have only paid 3000 baht for your return flights.

Anything that gives visitors, locals and expats another option is better than what we have here at the moment, which is zero. Of course, we are still a long way off what the island really needs, and would save so many lifes, and that is songthaews plying the coast road linking all the beaches.

With that in mind, I have a question.

"There will be only one stop each at Patong, Karon and Kata,” Mr Teerayut explained.

If the bus goes to Patong first, and then onto Karon and Kata to drop off passengers - can tourists catch the bus just from Patong to Kata?

Edited January 20, 2013 by NamKangMan

[stiggy]

Exellent.

Imagine the hardest part will be finding drivers in the early days.

[Guest]

The image says 'hop-on / hop-off' so I guess that means that there will be transportation option between beaches. This will effect for the people who are staying at Kata and wish to go for an drink to Patong. No need for tuk-tuk anymore (before 1am).

[NamKangMan]

The image says 'hop-on / hop-off' so I guess that means that there will be transportation option between beaches. This will effect for the people who are staying at Kata and wish to go for an drink to Patong. No need for tuk-tuk anymore (before 1am).

Well, if that's the case, and I suspect it is as well, this bus service will be taking on all airport tansport AND all the tuk-tuks.

Wow - that's a big task.

If the deal can be struck for their securty/protection, they will probably have a rule that you have to show your air ticket, or similar, so you can't use these buses as transport along the coast, because if you can, they will be full everyday and every night with beach hoppers and bar hoppers, rather than air passengers.

Edited January 20, 2013 by NamKangMan

[IrishIvan]

Ive been refraining from reading transport issues in Phuket but this does look promising, what about a hop on hop off service that goes around the island too? The hop on hop off service in Kuala Lumpur is fantastic, I really hope the powers that be can make it like KL and have a hop on hop off service for the whole of the island

[noob7]

Ive been refraining from reading transport issues in Phuket but this does look promising, what about a hop on hop off service that goes around the island too?

Promising, indeed. More road blocks to come, more tires to deflate, more buses to burn.

But people knowing about:

"For safety reasons, Phuket Land Transportation Office (PLTO) chief Teerayut Prasertpol asked the Phuket Gazette not to name the operator"

[Valentine]

I hope it works & should be acceptable to tuk tuk mafia as many of the passengers will need transport from the one stop at Patong, Karon, Kata.

[NamKangMan]

I hope it works & should be acceptable to tuk tuk mafia as many of the passengers will need transport from the one stop at Patong, Karon, Kata.

Not if you can pay your 120 baht and catch the bus from say Kata to Patong, or vice versa. I can't see the tuk-tuks accepting that.

[stevenl]

I really hope this venture will work but have my reservations.

Max 30 passengers per bus every 30/40 minutes? Doesn't make for much throughput? Only 1 stop per Patong / Karon / Kata means people will still need to use local transport in the resort areas.

Anyway, good luck, and yes, definately install CCTV in the buses.

Yes, agree, but it's a start. If this works there is no doubt there will be other transport options to follow.

[KarenBravo]

Why are people presuming that the buses will travel between the beaches?

I think there will be one route from airport to Patong, another from airport to Kata etc.

[NamKangMan]

Why are people presuming that the buses will travel between the beaches?

I think there will be one route from airport to Patong, another from airport to Kata etc.

Doubt it. Are you suggesting one bus for every beach????

That's a lot of buses, and staff, doing the job that a couple of buses could do. If the bus goes all the way from the airport to Patong, why wouldn't it go a extra few kilometres down the road to Kata and Karon for example?

Edited January 20, 2013 by NamKangMan

[Guest]

Why are people presuming that the buses will travel between the beaches?

I think there will be one route from airport to Patong, another from airport to Kata etc.

The article mentioned "The new route" at least twice. Singular, not plural.

[NamKangMan]

Why are people presuming that the buses will travel between the beaches?

I think there will be one route from airport to Patong, another from airport to Kata etc.

The article mentioned "The new route" at least twice. Singular, not plural.

"At this stage the buses are set to run every 40 minutes, starting around 6am when the first flight arrives at the airport and ending at around 1am."

He states "buses" as opposed to "bus." In order to depart the airport every 40 minutes, they would probably need at least 4 buses on the road, given that they stop at all the beaches along the coast.

So, I'm thinking, one route, using about four buses, leaving the airport to start that route every 40 minutes.

Edited January 20, 2013 by NamKangMan

[EyesWideOpen]

I am amazed and impressed. Quite a bit late, but as they say better late than never. The operator must have some serious

balls, or is well connected himself. I suggest either armed guards on the bus, or have a soldier operate the bus. The last driver

on a bus line that attempted to do this got the crap kicked out of him by the taxi mafia.

[KarenBravo]

Well........I hope you guys are right about the single route............though I don't think you are.

[NamKangMan]

Well........I hope you guys are right about the single route............though I don't think you are.

I don't think the tuk-tuks will allow it, but, what's stopping you getting on at Patong and saying "Airport" knowing you want to go to Kata, and then just "hopping off" at the Kata stop? You pay the 120 baht anyway.

Like I said, you will probably have to produce an air ticket to get on.

It's the coast road that is the cash cow for the tuk-tuks. If they don't protect their monopoly on that, they will be forced to actually do some work for their earnings by acting in a similar way as baht buses, or, drop their prices significantly to compete. It's a lot easier for them to blockade, fire bomb, assault etc etc.

When they announce things like this, it really hits home how behind Phuket is for transport.

[Guest]

Like I said, you will probably have to produce an air ticket to get on.

Who would check the tickets? The tuk-tuk co-op?

[NamKangMan]

Like I said, you will probably have to produce an air ticket to get on.

Who would check the tickets? The tuk-tuk co-op?

The bus driver. I think it will be a bit like the minivans. The driver will arrange some luggage and collect the money. He will also check you are actually going to the airport, not just down the coast.