Government asked to review its decision to phase out double-deckers

[snoop1130]

Government asked to review its decision to phase out double-deckers
Thai PBS

THAILAND -- The association of land transport operators has asked the government to review the decision of the Transport Ministry to phase out double-deckers claiming that they are unsafe and vulnerable to road accidents.

The association led by Dr Wasuchet Soponsathien issued a statement challenging the ministry’s claim and defending the safety of double- deckers.

In the statement, the association pointed out that there was not a single road accident involving a double-decker during the “seven dangerous days” when drink driving campaign was under way. It claimed that the double-deckers used in tourism business are highly safe and everyone of them has been certified by the Land Transport Department.

According to the Transport Ministry, registration of new double-deckers will be stopped. As for the existing ones already in service and single-deck buses which are over 3.6 metres in height will have to go through driving tests on slope before they are allowed to be put intoservices.

The association claimed that there are now 10,000 double-deckers in the service of tourism sector and another 5,000-7,000 units used to transport office workers of various companies and organizations.

On top of that, there are over 100 double-deckers awaiting registration and another 600 being assembled in garages.

The association said that about 20,000 people would be made redundant if the existing double-deckers are to be banned from the streets. Toacquire a new bus, at least two million baht will be needed for each bus, the association added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/government-asked-to-review-its-decision-to-phase-out-double-deckers

-- Thai PBS 2016-01-06

[trogers]

Limit the use of double deckers to routes that do not pass through hilly terrains! Any hilly terrains to Trat, Chanthaburi, etc?

Any from the stretch of Cha-am to Choompon?

Any in the stretch towards NongKhai?

Edited January 6, 2016 by trogers

[Pib]

That limitation would probably be enforced as stringently as requiring motorcycle drivers to wear helmets.

[webfact]

Thailand’s Junta Orders Ban on Double-Decker Buses

BANGKOK – Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has reported that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a ban on the registration of new double-decker tour buses and stricter road worthiness checks for all public transport vehicles.

Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said Gen Prayut issued the instructions during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting in the wake a record road-toll over the New Year holiday.

According to Arkhom the 4,800 double-decker buses and 16,000 regular buses already in operation with a height of more than 3.6 meters must now pass a strict tilt test on a 30 degree slope. Any that fail to pass the test must be taken out of service.

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailands-junta-orders-ban-on-double-decker-buses.html


-- Chiang Rai Times 2016-01-07

[Maybole]

Who in the government has a franchise to import replacement buses?

[Crossy]

Better late (83 years) than never.

London 1933 (no not 7.30 PM), London Transport regulations required a 28^o test, nice to see Thailand is going 2^o better.

From here http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tilt-test-508290555

The Routemaster bus on the same page managed 48^o.

[MAJIC]

Transport Ministry to phase out double-deckers claiming that they are unsafe and vulnerable to road accidents.

Has anybody else seen the rebuilt,previous rolled double deckers? they don't scrap much in Thailand!

[canuckamuck]

They could pass a 50 degree test and you wouldn't be any safer when the driver is either drunk, on stimulants, or has anger issues. And all three are likely here.

[ramrod711]

The association said that about 20,000 people would be made redundant if the existing double-deckers are to be banned from the streets. Toacquire a new bus, at least two million baht will be needed for each bus, the association added.

I highly doubt the veracity of this claim. Single deck busses would mean more buses, more manufacturing, more drivers and more support staff at terminals, possibly even new terminals. I never ride the busses, or the vans any more, and it is because of the drivers not the vehicles.

[Gutterboy]

They could pass a 50 degree test and you wouldn't be any safer when the driver is either drunk, on stimulants, or has anger issues. And all three are likely here.

Exactly. Once again they're only addressing the symptoms and not the cause.

I doubt there's any roads in Thailand that have 50 degree angles but there's no shortage of drivers going too fast/aggressively/stupidly.

[Chang_paarp]

This logic should be applied to all buses not just the double deckers.

The buses as designed are not the problem. They are are no worse than any other vehicle on the road, however, you add dubious manufacturing, maintenance and very questionable pilots then the equation changes.

[ezzra]

Yes, only for the one made in Thailand with complete disregards to weigh and balance and center of gravity

considerations when building the buss, they build the buss here in Thailand like every thing else, shoddy

quality and workmanship and not to last log before if start to fall apart...

[merlen10002]

Nakhon Chia Air bus company use single decker buses, much easy to get in out of, you don't have climb up the steep steps and do not sway or rock and roll around like the double deckers, NCA is a very successful bus company I think the best in Thailand, best service and always clean with good staff. I also think much safer buses.

[madmitch]

All they need is proper testing as in the attached clip.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTeC80k034!

Get that bus out Butler!

[merlen10002]

The post about shoddy built buses in Thailand are stupid, the running chassis , motor, gear boxes and everything is imported from Benz, or Volvo or what ever company that makes the running gear. the body is built in Thailand the same as every other country, nothing wrong with the way the buses are built, I know I have been in the motor trade most of my working life. I think the paranoid Thai basher should take the year off have a holiday,, all year.

[Dublin]

Double Decker buses are not the issue it's the way they are driven is the problem, the blue and white and silver buses are usual driven quite safely however the custom black one's are just out of control especially when escorted by the police or army,

To acquire a new bus, at least two million baht will be needed for each bus, the association added.

2 million for a new bus 55,000 USD,,, wooh cheap buses, i guess there being made in someones back yard from spare parts...

[maxisrael]

How about a bus full of passagers test ?

[AlphMichaels]

The tilt test is not adequate. You need to combine tilt with motion, controls, etc. to deliver a decent result. I applaud the move and submit the owners are reeling because their business futures have just been crushed. But they didn't do what they should from the get go here. Most vehicles are poorly maintained and never (really) inspected. It's about time this happened and that includes effort to gradually remove them from the highways in their entirety.

[kartman]

The post about shoddy built buses in Thailand are stupid, the running chassis , motor, gear boxes and everything is imported from Benz, or Volvo or what ever company that makes the running gear. the body is built in Thailand the same as every other country, nothing wrong with the way the buses are built, I know I have been in the motor trade most of my working life. I think the paranoid Thai basher should take the year off have a holiday,, all year.

So you would be happy sitting in the seats that in some designs have just a full glass window to the floor beside them.

[JAG]

Nakhon Chia Air bus company use single decker buses, much easy to get in out of, you don't have climb up the steep steps and do not sway or rock and roll around like the double deckers, NCA is a very successful bus company I think the best in Thailand, best service and always clean with good staff. I also think much safer buses.

I use Nakhon Chai Air, and I agree that they seem a more professional outfit than many on the roads. Their buses seem to be custom made to their own specific design, and they do seem to operate from proper depots rather than parking up in front of the local 7/11. Hopefully this is reflected in the level of maintenance? Edited January 7, 2016 by JAG

[AlQaholic]

dum dum make hum hum

[tuanku]

How about a bus full of passagers test ?

Happens daily on the routes the buses use - the ones that fail the test have created this problem.

[Gandtee]

Of course forward motion and the number of passengers on the upper deck as against the lower deck will have an effect on how far the bus will tilt before tipping over when cornering. The driver should be aware of the load they carry and where they are seated.

[DrTuner]

Just finish the %$%%$$#% railroads and get rid of the buses. Add a restaurant cart in the train and there you have it, a humane way of travel.

[poohy]

The post about shoddy built buses in Thailand are stupid, the running chassis , motor, gear boxes and everything is imported from Benz, or Volvo or what ever company that makes the running gear. the body is built in Thailand the same as every other country, nothing wrong with the way the buses are built, I know I have been in the motor trade most of my working life. I think the paranoid Thai basher should take the year off have a holiday,, all year.

I would politely but vehemently disagree

A Scania Volvo chassis with a body built in Germany Uk or Turkey even (they make Turkish merc buses Otormarson if i recall) is infinitely better quality and safer than a thai version that's cobbled together with bit of wood etc suggest you google BBC programme a few years ago about unsafe Thai buses.which highlighted overly high narrow chassis and poorly built buses

[craigt3365]

These buses are not built up to international standards. The video in the link at minute 7:00 below, shows how there are no plans and obviously no understanding of safety standards. Many are built of wood and disintegrate upon impact. After a crash, the bus company is dissolved and a new one created. Protecting the owners. And due to the ineffective and corrupt legal system here, few face prosecution for their infractions.

Add to this the absolutely terrible design of the roads. U-Turns in the middle of highways with no traffic lights where these huge vehicles try to turn. Incredibly dangerous. I'd hate to think of how many deaths have occurred at the floating market here in Pattaya when they use to allow these buses to do a U-Turn just meters past where they were parked. Pulling right out into traffic. Sometimes parked 4 across right into the 3rd lane of one of the busiest roads here. Unreal. And of course, shuffling passengers across the road with no pedestrian crossing and no traffic lights.

http://www.channel4.com/news/the-undocumented-dangers-of-thailands-roads

[JOC]

Thailand’s Junta Orders Ban on Double-Decker Buses

Followed by:

>.According to Arkhom the 4,800 double-decker buses and 16,000 regular buses already in operation with a height of more than 3.6 meters must now pass a strict tilt test on a 30 degree slope. Any that fail to pass the test must be taken out of service.<<

So in other words: No ban !!

[poohy]

Craigt3365

In my posting BBC is incorrect this is the program i was thinking about thank you for posting it

[trainman34014]

Thai built Buses are dangerous but a lot of the drivers are even more dangerous. Special driving lessons, examinations and licenses are the way to go for all public service drivers and until those requirements are introduced and effectively monitored there will be no end to serious road accidents involving buses's of any size from Mini-Buses to Double Deckers.

Any motor vehicle of any size is a 'guided missile' and the most crucial factor is who's guiding it.

[sstuff3]

Thailand’s Junta Orders Ban on Double-Decker Buses

BANGKOK – Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith has reported that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered a ban on the registration of new double-decker tour buses and stricter road worthiness checks for all public transport vehicles.

Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said Gen Prayut issued the instructions during Tuesday’s cabinet meeting in the wake a record road-toll over the New Year holiday.

According to Arkhom the 4,800 double-decker buses and 16,000 regular buses already in operation with a height of more than 3.6 meters must now pass a strict tilt test on a 30 degree slope. Any that fail to pass the test must be taken out of service.

Full story: http://www.chiangraitimes.com/thailands-junta-orders-ban-on-double-decker-buses.html

-- Chiang Rai Times 2016-01-07

“Thailand is the only country that still allows double-decker buses to operate,” the minister said"

Apparently he doesn't travel much.