The Transport Co plans to install multi-media monitors on passengers' seats on inter-city buses, a deputy transport minister said.

Deputy Transport Minister Prasert Chanruangthong said the plan is under discussion with a private operator, who is putting up the money, seeing it as a business opportunity because bus services carry around 40 million passengers a year.

The monitors would be installed on 24-seat VIP inter-city buses and 32-seat air-conditioned buses on journeys of 200km or more, he said.

Passengers would be able to enjoy movies, music and games on the monitors, said Mr Prasert, adding the service is expected to be available by July.

Installation would start with an initial batch of 100 buses. The investment cost is 500,000 baht a bus. The investor will have right all advertising rights on condition of maintaining the same fares. 

A model bus will be launched in April.

Related search: Transport Co, Transport Ministry, inter-city bus