Transport Company to undergo major overhaul to compete with low-cost airlines



BANGKOK: -- The state-run Transport Company is planning a major makeover of its bus services to cut costs and to be able to compete with low-cost airlines which have increasingly attracted bus passengers.

A well-informed source said that the main concept of this major overhaul is to provide services which meet the digital-age lifestyles of passengers at reasonable costs which are competitive with low-cost airlines.

While low-cost airlines enable passengers to arrive at their destinations faster than buses, they lack other basic facilities such as onboard free snacks and drinks, the source pointed out, adding that the Transport Company will complement its speed disadvantage with other conveniences that are not available in low-cost airlines.

Under the 4-year restructural plan, the source said that the Transport Company will rent a fleet of 400 new buses which will be equipped all kinds of conveniences to meet the modern lifestyle of consumers such as on-board wi-fi, battery recharging ports, reclining seats with automatic massaging system.

Meanwhile, safety will be enhanced with the installation of a safety sytem that will restrict every driver to four-hour driving at an interval. The ignition key cannot start the engine after 4-hour drive unless the bus has to stop for a while, said the source.

The new modern bus will be put into service for trial in four main routes namely Bangkok-Mae Sot, Bangkok-Phuket, Bangkok-Nakhon Phanom and Bangkok-Chiang Mai with two buses for each route initially.

Besides service makeover, the source said the bus agency plans to commercialise its prime land plots such as the Ekamai bus terminal which will be relocated to Bang Na and the land plot developed for commercial purposes.

The company is not expected to perform well this year compared to last year’s due to a 30 percent drop in passengers. But it expects a rebound in revenues after a major service makeover, said the source.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/transport-company-undergo-major-overhaul-compete-low-cost-airlines/


-- Thai PBS 2016-07-19

We bussed Pattaya - BKK - KKC with NCA (Nokon Chai Air?) and we would definitely get a flight next time between BKK and KKC. 45 minutes as opposed to 7 hours and for family of 4 price difference was 1400 baht compared to 17 000baht with Thai. Even if bus reduced price to 5 baht for a family of 4 I would still fly with Thai.

Family wanted to experience how the cattle class lived. Never again!

......cattle class?

Wow.......... classifying people is your forte uh?

Definition of cattle class

Key not to work after 4 hour driving? What happens in the case of two drivers or a driver change en-route? Tachographs are the established method of controlling drivers hours.

Key not to work after 4 hour driving? What happens in the case of two drivers or a driver change en-route? Tachographs are the established method of controlling drivers hours.

You are forgetting that TachoGraphs require enforcement which is seriously lacking here!

Cut costs. Reduce brake checks even more.

A very large overhaul for the bus companies would to not hiring alcoholics as drivers,putting a CCTV cameras sending live feed to headquarters with the driver and passengers on screen.Drivers wearing the bus company's uniform so he can be spotted if he runs away from an accident.

safer in the air than on the roads

Went from Suratthani to Bkk by bus three time within a month with three different bus companies.

What I did not like:

Aircon too cold, loud TV for many hours, nobody watching anyway, very strong urin smell from on board toilet,

snoring or talking passengers who gave a s..t about the comfort of others.

Will try the train next time I have to go to Bkk.

Or take a plane.

We have been flying Udon Thani-Bangkok several times at 600B per one way, 3 pax.

No way I will drive or bus for that amount of money/time.

......cattle class?

Wow.......... classifying people is your forte uh?

Cattle class is slang for economy class my dear friend.

Jumping to conclusions is yours.

Just made a flight where my excess baggage fee was almost as much as the ticket- for 40 kg extra. As I recall, I've never paid for excess baggage on a bus or train. At least not for a reasonable amount of goodies such as one would take back home to the family for holiday gifts.

Edit: But I'm expecting the day the for profit buses and trains adopt the same pricing structure as airlines, where an identical seat on the same route can cost between 100 baht and 800 baht depending on the day of the week, and when and where you bought the ticket. I'd bet a lot of guys posting about their great airline deals bought their tickets right. $20 for any flight isn't profitable. It's a teaser rate.

Edited July 20, 20169 yr by impulse