Transport flags tough new bus controls

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Transport flags tough new bus controls

Published: 17/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Private buses face tough new controls from the Transport Ministry in an attempt to do away with the decades-old vehicles rattling about Bangkok's streets.

Deputy Transport Minister Prajak Klaewklaharn said passengers should be able to feel safe in buses which are in good condition.

Mr Prajak is about to appoint a team to look into a safe limit on the age of private green mini-buses and larger white-blue buses run under concessions from the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority.

Past attempts to set age limits on buses have drawn protests from their operators.

Land Transport Department chief Chairat Sa-nguansue said the operators usually recover their investment after their buses have been in service for five to seven years. Mr Chairat said any age limit should not put them at a disadvantage.

The Transport Ministry's concerns follow the release of a Land Transport Department survey which shows only one-third of the 3,154 private buses serving Bangkok are of an appropriate age.

More than half are at least 10 years old, with the oldest 54 years old.

The BMTA, which awards concessions to private bus companies, has said it had no power to ban buses which pass an annual inspection.

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Writer: AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK

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Rene

Discussion 24 : 22/02/2009 at 03:53 PM24
Life of a bus in Europe is 12 to 18 years and not 5 years. Trolley buses (electrical buses) in my country have an average life of 25 years.

Age is not important! And an age limit doesn't make any sense. Just imagine you are forced to buy a new car every 5 years.

More important is how they maintain the vehicles. I don't think they maintain anything on most privat buses in Bangkok. Even the new yellow ones are falling apart after 2 years of service. (But this may be related to a Quality problem and is another topic.)

Rene, Switzerland
Don Aleman

Discussion 23 : 20/02/2009 at 03:16 PM23
Re #15

Life of busses in the rest of the world = about 5 years, in Thailand = when bus rolls down a mountain.
Don Aleman

Discussion 22 : 20/02/2009 at 03:13 PM22
"is about to" are key words which in Thailand mean the same as "projected, promised, proposed,approved,or scheduled" = NEVER !!
Per Vert

Discussion 21 : 17/02/2009 at 03:59 PM21
"More than half are at least 10 years old, with the oldest 54 years old"

and:

"The BMTA, which awards concessions to private bus companies, has said it had no power to ban buses which pass an annual inspection"

A 54 year old bus is getting an annual inspection and passing?

Ha Ha Ha. Stop it my ribs are aching. I'm sorry I can't take this country seriously any more.
Lertsiri Boonmee

Discussion 20 : 17/02/2009 at 02:47 PM20
Oh boy...I can see the look on the BUS DRIVER'S face when he goes to work and his employer tells him there is a surprise for all the drivers in the parking lot of the Bus Terminal.....Quickly, the bus drivers rush out to the terminal parking lot as if it was NASCAR DAY, as they await that magical moment of "GENTLEMEN. START YOUR ENGINES" Now rewind the situation back to the most important part. The part that the employers do a test on the drivers first, past alcohol inspections, pass drowsiness inspections, pass the "I don't have any MENTAL PROBLEMS" inspections, pass the "I DON"T GET ANNOYED EASILY and TAKE IT OUT ON THE PASSENGERS BY THRASHING THE STEERING WHEEL AND MASH THE GAS PEDAL" inspection......afterwich, they all get new clean looking uniforms before heading out to the shower stalls to clean up BEFORE they get to the biggest surprise that awaits at the parking lot of the bus terminal....A BRAND NEW BUS FOR A BRAND NEW DRIVER....
aussiebob

Discussion 19 : 17/02/2009 at 02:16 PM19
What about the slum areas that the poor people of Bangkok has to live in night and day. The slums go back more than 54 years but they are the reponsibility of the government not private companies. Stp playing politics and govern you inept mob and think of the people of Bangkok
Kildare

Discussion 18 : 17/02/2009 at 02:02 PM18
Sulanso. The life of a bus can be what you want it to be. The longer the life span that you determine, the cheaper it is to operate. Confusing? Not really, when one knows how to budget before the operation starts and not after you start the service.
Cowboy's should be riding horses and looking after cattle, not operating a city bus service.
50/50

Discussion 17 : 17/02/2009 at 01:52 PM17
@charlie

There is a rail track passing by Pattaya,
but as far I know no Train Station at Pattaya.
Richard

Discussion 16 : 17/02/2009 at 01:50 PM16
A 54 year old bus? It's a classic. Must be worth a fortune.

If he's going to set up a team I suggest that Mu Ham be in charge. He has experience with these buses and their drivers. Any problems and his mum can offer to take her clothes off and parade up and down in her underwear.
sulasno

Discussion 15 : 17/02/2009 at 01:38 PM15
what's the life of buses?

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Transport flags tough new bus controls