PM recommends hybrid buses as option for city bus services



BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has recommended the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to look into the advantages of electric and hybrid bus to see which is more appropriate to be put in service in Bangkok streets.

He says if hybrid bus is more appropriate than electric bus, the government will allow the BMTA to purchase more for use.

This was revealed by BMTA director Surachai Iamvajirasak after he brought electric bus and diesel-electric hybrid bus to Government for show and test ride to the prime minister.

The prime minister paid interest to the buses and recommended that the BMTA conduct study on the advantages of both electric bus and diesel-electric hybrid bus to see which option is more appropriate to the streets of the capital so that the government would consider allowing BMTA to purchase more for use.

Mr Surachai said the prime minister’s recommendation prompts him to review its plan to purchase of new electric buses with focus on more diesel-electric hybrid buses.

He said the BMTA has plan to purchase 200 new cool electric buses using 2.3 billion baht this fiscal year.

The plan will be reviewed to include more diesel-electric hybrid buses after the prime minister’s recommendation.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/pm-recommends-hybrid-buses-option-city-bus-services/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-12

There appears to be something missing in this story.

How can the PM recommending that the BMTA "conduct study on the advantages of both electric bus and diesel-electric hybrid bus to see which option is more appropriate" prompt Mr Surachai to "focus on more diesel-electric hybrid buses"???

Was there some unreported comment (or order) based on some, as yet, unreported connection between certain influential figures and the manufacturers of the diesel-electric hybrid buses?

Must be that the hybrid bus manufacturer has offered the biggest envelope.

Can someone explain how electric or diesel-electric busses are better than using natural gas as NGVs?

I would have thought that the natural gas busses in operation would be very eco-friendly and overall very cost effective, while anything hybrid or electric would be some sort of money making exercise which will need replacement in the not-too-distant future?

Conduct a study, here's couple of hundreds of millions of baht for the ' study ' followed by big contract to supply

the busses, and the winner is : China....... Who else? .....

How does he find the time!

Hybrids make sense, they are very fuel efficient in stop/start driving as much of the energy involved in stopping is recovered, and they don't require downtime for recharging. But why diesel? Doesn't anybody make LNG hybrids?

One of the few and rare excellent suggestions from the PM

I applaud the suggestion - obvious as it is - but he will have to get past 100 year old mafia bus woman first who keeps putting the broken down diesel killers on the road because shes paying off to win the contracts. Not even sure the good general is ready for that fight

Are there no ends to Uncle Too's knowledge, skills and expertise.

He has already 'fixed" the lottery, can ride a bicycle and...............erm, looks good in a Bond villian shirt.

Edited July 12, 20169 yr by BigBadGeordie

Here's the another view.

In March 2016 BMTA was going to buy 489 new NGV buses, repair and renovate existing 671 NGV buses, and lease 200 electric buses built by the partnership of Loxley of Thailand and BYD Auto Industry of China.

But in May 2016 BMTA included in the NGV bus procurement vehicle maintenance services, prompting the bidding price to increase from 1.7 billion baht to 4 billion baht.

In June 2016 BMTA unveiled the Japanese Diesel-electric hybrid for test service in Route 137 between Ramkhamhaeng and Ratchadapisek for a certain period of time after which it will be operated in the other routes until November 15 when the test runs will be completed. The consideration of the hybrid may have been the result of new NGV buses costing 200% more than the original procurement budget that would reduce the number of electric buses that could be obtained.

Prayut now recommends the Japanese hybrid bus. Certainly good news for the Japanese to increase their exports. But damaging to Thailand by losing the technology exchange and domestic production of the BYD electric bus.

Here's the another view.

In March 2016 BMTA was going to buy 489 new NGV buses, repair and renovate existing 671 NGV buses, and lease 200 electric buses built by the partnership of Loxley of Thailand and BYD Auto Industry of China.

But in May 2016 BMTA included in the NGV bus procurement vehicle maintenance services, prompting the bidding price to increase from 1.7 billion baht to 4 billion baht.

In June 2016 BMTA unveiled the Japanese Diesel-electric hybrid for test service in Route 137 between Ramkhamhaeng and Ratchadapisek for a certain period of time after which it will be operated in the other routes until November 15 when the test runs will be completed. The consideration of the hybrid may have been the result of new NGV buses costing 200% more than the original procurement budget that would reduce the number of electric buses that could be obtained.

Prayut now recommends the Japanese hybrid bus. Certainly good news for the Japanese to increase their exports. But damaging to Thailand by losing the technology exchange and domestic production of the BYD electric bus.

Consideration of a hybrid MAY have been that the poor stupid Thais can't understand a budget. And mere consideration is damaging the country though no decision, let alone working out a deal, is anywhere near happening.

Edited July 12, 20169 yr by halloween

I'd love to see a more green solution to public transport in the north. They take a beautiful place like Chiang Mai and ruin it with black smoke belching from every bus, tuk tuk, and baht bus, when it could be much cleaner and healthier for all.

I wish the PM luck with this but the pessimist in me sees a cash grab for the "study."

Is there no end to our wonderful prime ministers' talents ? Song writer, tech expert, referendum writer, diplomat and who knows how many other hidden talents. An obvious choice for a high place in any democratically elected government: should he not offer to take that place himself.

Here's the another view.

In March 2016 BMTA was going to buy 489 new NGV buses, repair and renovate existing 671 NGV buses, and lease 200 electric buses built by the partnership of Loxley of Thailand and BYD Auto Industry of China.

But in May 2016 BMTA included in the NGV bus procurement vehicle maintenance services, prompting the bidding price to increase from 1.7 billion baht to 4 billion baht.

In June 2016 BMTA unveiled the Japanese Diesel-electric hybrid for test service in Route 137 between Ramkhamhaeng and Ratchadapisek for a certain period of time after which it will be operated in the other routes until November 15 when the test runs will be completed. The consideration of the hybrid may have been the result of new NGV buses costing 200% more than the original procurement budget that would reduce the number of electric buses that could be obtained.

Prayut now recommends the Japanese hybrid bus. Certainly good news for the Japanese to increase their exports. But damaging to Thailand by losing the technology exchange and domestic production of the BYD electric bus.

Surely you jest. "Technology transfer?" LOL

These guys have yet to figure out how to join two pieces of pipe together without leaks. The Japanese have been here decades. Do you see any absorption of knowledge?

Edited July 12, 20169 yr by PaullyW

Hybrid busses...cool....Now how about a hybrid sewer so the whole towne isnt engulfed in shi5.....whenever it rains.

I tought the deal was done many months ago allready. The Chinese were going to build those buses including maintenance.

So now nobody dares to insure the maintenance-part?

Then open an auction and let's see which company dares to make an offer with maintenance included for 10 years. Or just lease the whole buses, fixed price and no more stress.

Law of averages in play, that with the constant BS out of the PM's mouth, occasionally a good idea must eventually spurt out. This is one of those rare occasions.

I hope that they have identified a good field to park them in.

Perhaps this time, unlike the fire engines, they will choose one above the flood level.

Edited July 13, 20169 yr by JAG