KHON KAEN - A new public bus service is in full operation in this major northeastern province, with 10 air-conditioned buses with free WiFi operating around the clock for a flat-rate fare of 15 baht.
The Khon Kaen City Bus project, launched by Khon Kaen Think Tank Co, has been warmly received by commuters since it began services three months ago.
Kamolpong Sa-nguantrakul, co-investor of KKTT, said the buses operate on two main routes along a distance of 17 kilometres. The flat fare is 15 baht for the entire distance, with students paying 10 baht. There are 14 bus stops. Passengers could check out the service via application KK Transit, Mr Kalompong said when he and other partners introduced the service to the media on Sunday.
"In the initial phase, there are 10 public buses providing a service around the clock. The buses cost about 3 million baht each. The systems installed in each bus cost about 300,000 baht. So the total investment is around 3.3 million baht for each bus.
"Our bus service will impress passengers. All drivers wear suit jackets and the driving speed is limited to 40 kilometres per hour. There are two televisions installed on each bus to entertain passengers. Closed-circuit television camera systems and a free WiFi service are also installed,’’ said Mr Kamolpong.
Passengers can pay by two methods on boarding -- by putting coins into an automatic fare machine, or use prepaid Khon Kaen cards, like those used by skytrain or subway services.
KKTT imported the buses from China. Each bus can accommodate a maximum 50 passengers.
Puripat Limnisakorn, manager of Khon Kaen City Bus Co, operator of the new service, said the buses run every five minutes during rush hours and every 15 minutes during normal hours. After midnight, the buses operate every 30 minutes.
Operating hours cover all kinds of passengers, said Mr Puripat. In the second phase, the company plans to put an additional six buses into service, to accommodate over 1,200 passengers a day, and to expand bus routes.
One of 10 new public air-conditoned buses, equipped with WiFi, television and CCTV, operated by Khon Kaen City Bus Co, is now providing service around the clock on Khon Kaen streets, with a flat-fare rate of 15 baht along a 17km route. (Photo by Jakkrapan Nathanri)