Bangkok might be better off buying electric buses and scrapping its long-awaited NGV-fuelled bus purchase plan, says Transport Minister Prajin Juntong.
He called on Monday for a study on alternative fuels amid rising gas prices. The plan threatens to delay the city's plan to buy 2,694 city buses, which was set to kick into gear next month.
Prajin: Electric buses are emission-free
However, the ministry will still go ahead with the bidding process for the first batch of 489 NGV-run buses.
The plan to procure electric buses was still at the idea stage but might be worth a look as gas prices keep rising, ACM Prajin said.
Transport officials, especially the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, which runs city buses, must review the plan to buy natural gas-fuelled (NGV) buses, as it faces several hurdles.
The study on alternative fuels should be completed within 45 days, he said. It would include a look at whether the NGV-fuelled bus plan should go ahead.
The price of NGV fuel, also known as compressed natural gas (CNG), has kept rising after the Energy Ministry decided to restructure fuel price tariffs to make them fairer across the transport, industry and householder sectors.
Passenger van and taxi operators have called for fare hikes to compensate. At the same time, drivers complain NGV stations are few and far between.
More NGV-fuelled buses will, as a result, only worsen problems, ACM Prajin said. "So I wonder whether it's better to buy electric buses instead," he said.
The plug-in vehicles can run for 250-300km after charging, ACM Prajin said. They are also emission-free, which means they are good for Bangkok's air, which is polluted by a large number of cars.
In addition, domestic manufacturers can assemble this type of [electric] bus, he added.
Deputy permanent secretary for transport Pongchai Gasemtaweesak would oversee the study of the bus purchase plan.
He will hold talks with all stakeholders including the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, and the Energy Ministry.
If it turns out the new NGV-fuelled buses must be scrapped, the Transport Ministry would have to start things over, forwarding a new plan to the cabinet for consideration.
The 2,694 buses are part of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority's plan to replace its ageing vehicles with a fleet of 3,183 buses, introduced more than eight years ago. So far, the BMTA has welcomed bids for the first batch of 489 NGV-run buses. It plans to verify bidders' qualifications this Friday and expects to announce a winner no later than early next month.
The agency will then receive the buses within 90 days and will start using the new vehicles in May, ACM Prajin said. All 489 buses are equipped with low-floors that allow young, elderly and disabled passengers to get on and off the buses more easily.
However, City Hall must improve the conditions of some roads and bridges to allow the vehicles to run smoothly, said acting BMTA director Pranee Sukrasorn.
She played down worries over the low number of NGV gas stations, arguing the four supply points at Samae dam, Bang Khen, Siam Park City (Suan Siam) and Min Buri areas can serve all new buses.