The Transport Company Ltd has put forward the old Mor Chit terminal in Chatuchak district as a potential site for the new northern and northeastern bus terminal, also known as Mor Chit 2, its president said.
Wuthichart Kalyanamitra said the Ministry of Transport has provided information regarding the use of this area.
“We have to compare the pros and cons of each potential area for the new terminal. Ultimately, the company’s boards and the ministry will decide,” he said.
The new location for the terminal should be decided next month and will be sent to the company’s committee for consideration, Mr Wuthichart said.
A bird’s eye view of the Mor Chit 2 bus terminal on Kamphaeng Phet 2 Road. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
A study conducted by King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi suggested four potential land plots for the terminal, including Muang Thong Thani, Don Muang inbound side, Don Muang outbound side, and the Rangsit area near Thammasat University.
Mr Wuthichart said the terminal must be built in an area that would maximise the project’s benefits and provide easy access to mass transit passengers.
The Mor Chit 2 bus station needs to be relocated because the State Railway of Thailand, which owns the land it is built on, wants to reclaim it and use it for the construction of its Red Line electric train, running from Bang Sue in Bangkok to Rangsit in Pathum Thani province.
Meanwhile, Mr Wuthichart said the company is also inspecting areas along the Bang Na-Trat Road and Suppawut area for the eastern bus terminal’s new location.
The inspections would take about two months, after which bidding for the terminal will be announced and possible sources of funding will be sought.
The current eastern bus terminal at Ekamai occupies a seven-rai plot of land.
The new terminal must be no less than 20 rai to ease traffic congestion at the terminal located in Sukhumvit area, said Mr Wuthichart.