The arrival area at Bangkok Bus Terminal (Chatuchak), also known as Mo Chit 2, will be closed from March 1, in an effort to improve passenger safety and prevent illegal motorcycle taxis from preying on travellers.
The move followed directives issued by the government and the Transport Ministry which ordered Transport Co, which operates the terminal, to upgrade services at Mo Chit 2 before the Songkran holidays in April, according to the managing director of Transport Co, Atthawit Rakchamroon, yesterday.
In response, Transport Co closed the terminal's arrival zone between 8pm and 4am earlier this month.
All vehicles are now required to pick up and/or drop off their passengers at the terminal's departure area, which the company says has reduced the number of illegal motorcycle taxis and other safety issues in the terminal.
To further boost efficiency and improve service and safety standards at Mo Chit 2, the Transport Co will require buses to pick passengers up at platform 1 from March 1.
The arrival area will be reserved for motorcycle taxis.
The Transport Co has deployed staff and is coordinating with various agencies -- including Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and several public transport operators -- to improve facilities for travellers at the southern end of the terminal.
Taxi ranks and queues for other public transport services have been set up on the first floor of the terminal's parking lot.
Feeder services under the government's Quick Win policy will also pick up and drop off passengers here.
All its buses will drop off passengers at Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal, before reaching Mo Chit 2, in an effort to connect the terminal with the city's train networks, including SRT's Red Line and the MRT Blue Line.
Transport Co will also improve stores, food vendors, restrooms, elevators, resting areas and lighting all across the terminal, Mr Atthawit said.