The Transport Co Ltd, the state-owned passenger bus company, will upgrade its repair and maintenance centre to serve as an Asean service hub.
People buy bus tickets at the terminal in Kalasin province during the Songkran holiday last year. (Photo by Pattarapong Chatpattarasill)
The company's existing 40-rai maintenance centre near the end of the Don Muang Tollway has potential to serve neighbouring countries, according to chairman Anusorn Sangnimnuan.
A separate business unit will be set up to run the operation and maximise the potential of the centre's prime location, equipment and personnel, he added.
Managing director Wuttichart Kalayanamit said the board had approved the plan and investment details were being drafted. Partners with expertise in sercvicing buses, such as Mercedes Benz and Volvo, will also be sought.
Additional investment is necessary to upgrade the centre's current 200-unit capacity.
The company is also preparing to move its overcrowded main bus terminal from Mor Chit on Kamphaeng Phet Road in Bangkok. It is waiting for the Transport Ministry to finalise the development plan for the Phahon Yothin area.
The Transport Co, under the supervision of the Transport Ministry, provides passenger transport between Bangkok and the provinces and across the border into Laos on five routes — Nong Khai-Vientiane, Udon Thani-Vientiane, Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse, Mukdahan-Savannakhet, and Khon Kaen-Vientiane.