The relocation of Mor Chit bus terminal to its original location opposite Chatuchak market would make public transportation more convenient, according to the Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning.
The Transport Ministry earlier this month approved the relocation of the interprovincial bus hub to the area now occupied by the BTS skytrain maintenance centre and the park-and-ride space near the BTS Chatuchak station. The relocation should be completed by 2023.
The decision has sparked public debate over whether the move would require budget adjustments and cause traffic congestion in the area.
On its website, the office has clarified that the Transport Ministry and related agencies are making the change to speed up commute times for the public. The Treasury Department has already completed a feasibility study for the redevelopment of the old Mor Chit site, with a plan to allocate 110,000 square metres for the Land Transport Department to use for the new interprovincial bus terminal.
The office said the selection of the location for the bus terminal, train and electric train stations had been based on convenience and accessibility, and the plan had already taken future service demands into account.
The Treasury Department does not have many large development projects. The most recently completed project was the development of Government Centre in the Chaeng Watthana area, to be served by the Pink Line electric train in the future.
The department will coordinate with related agencies to ensure that transportation and infrastructure projects are fully integrated with any future large development projects.