Student rides buses for two years to make helpful Bangkok bus route maps

[webfact]

Student rides buses for two years to make helpful bus route maps
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- For the unenlightened, learning Bangkok’s bus system is like piecing together folklore, as for generations, everyone has accepted there are no convenient route maps.

Everyone except Somwasin Udonpol, an 18-year-old student who spent two years drawing out a bus route map by traveling across the city in hopes of benefiting both locals and tourists.



“Buses are like Bangkok’s blood vessels. They spread across the city and take you into the small sois. If people got on one bus, it could help ease the traffic issues a lot,” Somwawin said.

He added that he’s seen the confusion first-hand.

“I’ve talked to tourists who keep waiting for the cancelled bus No. 2 at Chatuchak,” he said. “And right now there are no guidelines on which side of the road they should wait for the bus.”

Whereas confusing trip-planners and stop lists exist, no simple visualization of the complex system existed. [read more...]

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/08/28/student-rides-buses-two-years-make-helpful-bus-route-maps

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-08-28

[Cuchulainn]

Good for you.

The Bankgkok bus routes to the uninitiated are a chaotic shambles. This is the 21st century and buses still have destinations hand written on a piece of cardboard!! And conductors/conductresses (ha, there's a word you haven't heard in a right while!!) still collecting fares!

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

[ramsy]

I don't know if this comment is allowed, but I've developed an app which contains all buses and routes in Bangkok.

It's currently available for the iPhone® and iPad® only.

You can download them at the App Store℠

https://itunes.apple.com/th/app/bangkok-bus/id902466252 for $0.99
(or https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bangkok-buses/id898131052 for free)

This just contain basic functionality for now, since it's an initial release, but more advanced features have already been implemented.

[balo]

I don't know if this comment is allowed, but I've developed an app which contains all buses and routes in Bangkok.

It's currently available for the iPhone® and iPad® only.

You can download them at the App Store℠

https://itunes.apple.com/th/app/bangkok-bus/id902466252 for $0.99

(or https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bangkok-buses/id898131052 for free)

This just contain basic functionality for now, since it's an initial release, but more advanced features have already been implemented.

Can you please make an Android version, thanks.

[Greer]

Well done to Somwasin, and also to Ramsy - any help in making bus usage easier is a huge benefit to Bangkok and to the tourists who may wish to use them.

Yes, an Android version of Ramsy's application would be a good idea.

[MaxYakov]

I found this Bangkok Bus Map quite useful as an overview but is probably out-of-date because it doesn't have (for one that I know about) the very useful Chaeng Wattana (Govt Complex) #52 bus from (at least) Mo Chit BTS:

Transit Bangkok Bus Routes

I wonder how accurate any map would be that took 2 years to produce (what about changes that may have occurred during that period?). What Bangkok needs is a website with a realtime bus location/route display ... right after they get some decent buses.

Edited August 28, 2014 by MaxYakov

[klauskunkel]

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they will tip over

[MaxYakov]

I don't know if this comment is allowed, but I've developed an app which contains all buses and routes in Bangkok.

It's currently available for the iPhone® and iPad® only.

You can download them at the App Store℠

https://itunes.apple.com/th/app/bangkok-bus/id902466252 for $0.99

(or https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bangkok-buses/id898131052 for free)

This just contain basic functionality for now, since it's an initial release, but more advanced features have already been implemented.

Where did you get the route data or are you the student that rode the buses? How will the App be udated with route changes? Also, are you planning to update the App with a realtime display of bus locations? (kidding, of course) See This Post

Edited August 28, 2014 by MaxYakov

[MaxYakov]

I got stuck in traffic on a hot, albiet uncrowded, #54 bus on Rachaparop (toward Central) the other day because I didn't want to cycle. Every time this happens I say "Never Again!". Now I know why the bus wasn't crowded. It was a Friday around 1400. I had completely underestimated the traffic. Most of us bailed and walked even before Petchaburi.

Edited August 28, 2014 by MaxYakov

[ovenman]

The bus map that ThinkNet publishes is pretty good.

[sprq]

Funny thing, in London, Paris, Madrid, etc etc, the bus authority itself produces maps. An idea for you, BMTA, possibly? I know it's crazy, but do think about it.

[asdecas]

Good for you.

The Bankgkok bus routes to the uninitiated are a chaotic shambles. This is the 21st century and buses still have destinations hand written on a piece of cardboard!! And conductors/conductresses (ha, there's a word you haven't heard in a right while!!) still collecting fares!

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they would reach the terminus with half of Bangkok's cabling dragging along behind after every journey - those that still had the upper deck after passing under too-low bridges, that is.

[asanee]

this work has been done before-starting with a fanatic japanese. This has after years resulted in first an JPNese lingo map/booklet-buy at Kinokuniya, then followed by the Thinknet maps- 99 Bt. BMTA itself will never publish maps- thats done by the private sector. in Thai every 2-3 yrs a booklet appears with all routes writtendowen, incl ferries, boatservices, local trains, BTS/MRT etc. often followed by a slimdown english version.

As I have told here many times by now, the transitbkk site is OUT of DATE, incomplete and most likely based on stolen data from that JPNese. That does not mean all is wrong: most routes have not changed since 25+ years. They simply make money by those apps. Always smile when I see suddenly (chinese are most likely victims) tourists jump out as the bus follows its normal route, but which is wrong on the app.

What remains unmapped are the 200+ sidesoi/out of town local routes, mostly by red songhthaews or minivans.

[Cuchulainn]

Good for you.

The Bankgkok bus routes to the uninitiated are a chaotic shambles. This is the 21st century and buses still have destinations hand written on a piece of cardboard!! And conductors/conductresses (ha, there's a word you haven't heard in a right while!!) still collecting fares!

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they would reach the terminus with half of Bangkok's cabling dragging along behind after every journey - those that still had the upper deck after passing under too-low bridges, that is.

OK, fair enough!

[tw25rw]

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they will tip over

They don't tip over. The bigger risk is running into dangling cables.

[tw25rw]

Good for you.

The Bankgkok bus routes to the uninitiated are a chaotic shambles. This is the 21st century and buses still have destinations hand written on a piece of cardboard!! And conductors/conductresses (ha, there's a word you haven't heard in a right while!!) still collecting fares!

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they would reach the terminus with half of Bangkok's cabling dragging along behind after every journey - those that still had the upper deck after passing under too-low bridges, that is.

The cabling could be a problem, but the bridges shouldn't be. You choose the right bus for the route or change the route. There are plenty of single decker routes in London where there are low bridges.

[Muhendis]

I think the whole point of this post is that an eighteen year old student did it and the bus company didn't. He/she should go far (but not on a Bangkok bus)

[khunken]

Actually there are two (maybe more) Bangkok bus route maps. I have had the one produced by Bangkok Guide Technology for at least 4 years and still refer to it. It's not 100% accurate but good enough for me.

BTW any tourist waiting for a number 2 at Chatuchak will be waiting for a very long time as the number 2 doesn't go there. I use it regularly on Sukhumvit.

Having said that, anyone who attempts to do what the Op has done deserves credit.

[rickirs]

I found this useful: http://www.transitbangkok.com/bangkok_buses.html

[khunken]

Good for you.

The Bankgkok bus routes to the uninitiated are a chaotic shambles. This is the 21st century and buses still have destinations hand written on a piece of cardboard!! And conductors/conductresses (ha, there's a word you haven't heard in a right while!!) still collecting fares!

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they would reach the terminus with half of Bangkok's cabling dragging along behind after every journey - those that still had the upper deck after passing under too-low bridges, that is.

The cabling could be a problem, but the bridges shouldn't be. You choose the right bus for the route or change the route. There are plenty of single decker routes in London where there are low bridges.

Yes but with so many Michael Shumaker style bus drivers, would you feel safe on the upper deck?

[razer]

Well done to this young man. He has done something neither the government nor bus companies could do. Meritocracy has little to do with the Thai culture which is a shame, because this kid could go far with his determination and tenacity.

[harrry]

A good job. There was a bus map in the 70s but it was impossible to understand.

I hope the lad did go to school though.

Maybe he could consider studying the Geoinformatics degree they have just started at Phayo University. It looks like just the course for him.

Edited August 28, 2014 by harrry

[klauskunkel]

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they will tip over

They don't tip over. The bigger risk is running into dangling cables.

Nope, the spirits will tip 'em over and the driver will run away and amulet sales will rise.

[sawati]

What about more information at the bus stop?

[Benmart]

Well done to this young man. He has done something neither the government nor bus companies could do. Meritocracy has little to do with the Thai culture which is a shame, because this kid could go far with his determination and tenacity.

Agree and kudos to the young man. When a private citizen takes the initiative such as this, the BMTA should be hanging their collective heads in shame.

Hopefully he continues his education and perhaps does his thesis or dissertation on this or a similar subject.

Edited August 28, 2014 by Benmart

[Absolut]

What about more information at the bus stop?

It shouldn't have, but that made me laugh, classic stuff. Why bother with providing info when you can sell the space as advertising.

[tw25rw]

Good for you.

The Bankgkok bus routes to the uninitiated are a chaotic shambles. This is the 21st century and buses still have destinations hand written on a piece of cardboard!! And conductors/conductresses (ha, there's a word you haven't heard in a right while!!) still collecting fares!

Why are there no double deckers in Bangkok?

Just wondering.

Because they would reach the terminus with half of Bangkok's cabling dragging along behind after every journey - those that still had the upper deck after passing under too-low bridges, that is.

The cabling could be a problem, but the bridges shouldn't be. You choose the right bus for the route or change the route. There are plenty of single decker routes in London where there are low bridges.

Yes but with so many Michael Shumaker style bus drivers, would you feel safe on the upper deck?

Like I say, choose the right vehicle for the route. If there are things to hit, don't use the hight vehicle. But as with choosing the right buses for the route, you choose the right people to drive them. If you are going to invest in expensive new vehicles, you need to invest in the people that operate them.