The Transport Ministry aims to add 67 new bus routes in Bangkok as part of its reform plan for public bus services in the capital.
The move would help ensure bus service coverage for a larger area, said Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit.
He said the number of bus routes is set to increase from 202 to 269, with the total distance covered increasing by 20% from 6,437 km to 7,833 km.
The deputy minister also said the distance for each existing bus route could be shortened by three kilometres on average to enhance service effectiveness.
Under the plan, some operators could be transferred to run their services on new routes while operators that are unable to maintain proper standards would have their services scrapped.
The reform plan encompasses work to re-organise bus routes, set up a body to regulate bus services in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, help develop service potential among bus operators, ensure effective oversight and deal with bus infrastructure management.
It has been in motion since September last year and it is expected to gather full steam in 2019.
Mr Pichit said the key reform goal is to turn the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) into one of the bus operators instead of the regulator, which had been the case before.
Other bus operators would be sought to boost competition, which would be beneficial to passengers, he said.
The cabinet took note of the reform plan at its meeting on Tuesday, according to Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith.
The Department of Land Transport (DLT), which was assigned to regulate city bus operations instead of the BMTA, has conducted studies on potential bus routes, Mr Arkhom said.
The DLT will have to set up a new bus management division, which will allocate bus routes and consider issuing licences for bus operators, he said. The agency will have to lay out the criteria for bus drivers.
"The entire process may require some time as well as adjustments," said Mr Arkhom.
By next year, bus contracts would start being given out and route allocations would also begin.
Mr Arkhom said the Transport Ministry has devised an amendment to the Land Transport Act and the Automobile Act, combining them into one act.