Urgent fixes for Bangkok Bus Terminal

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From The Nation

 

 

 

 

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Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit has ordered interprovincial bus operator Transport Co and other relevant agencies to urgently address all issues raised about the Bangkok Bus Terminal.

This order was in response to complaints raised by Move Forward Bangkok MP Suphanat Minchaiynunt after he visited the terminal in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.

Suphanat listed the following problems:

• 5 broken escalators

• No lifts

• 10 of 15 available fire extinguishers are broken

• Inaccessible first-aid room

• Inaccessible room for breastfeeding

• No air-conditioning at bus platforms

• Nobody using ticket vending machines

• No ease of access for people with disabilities

• Low lighting

• Intruders in empty areas in the terminal

• Defective toilets

• Defective signboards

• Taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers demanding expensive fares

• No connection to BTS station

Suphanat said he had raised these issues earlier and called on the authorities for action, but to no avail.

Suriya responded on Saturday, saying that the Transport Ministry and other relevant agencies have acknowledged the complaint and are getting ready to address the issues as soon as possible.

He also pointed out that the Bangkok Bus Terminal is linked to the Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal (Bang Sue Grand Station), which is in line with the ministry’s policy to make travelling easy for locals.

The minister also said that relevant agencies have been instructed to deal with unscrupulous cabbies and motorcycle taxis, as well as intruders in empty spots in the terminal.

https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/politics/40034260

 

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From The Nation

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has issued a warning to Transport Company’s chief – improve the condition of the Mor Chit 2 interprovincial bus terminal or face the axe.

Government spokesman Chai Wacharonke said on Tuesday that the premier has also instructed the Transport Ministry to oversee the improvements to the bus terminal before the Songkran holidays. Mor Chit 2 is the largest bus terminal in the capital and serves provinces in the North and Northeast.

Srettha’s order comes in response to public complaints and criticism last week from a Move Forward MP.

The spokesman said the ministry was told to ensure there are no more public complaints about the bus terminal, adding that the PM expects it to start receiving compliments instead

 

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From Thai PBS World

Transport Ministry plans to replace Mor Chit 2 bus terminal

The Transport Ministry has a plan to build a new bus terminal to replace Mor Chit 2, which was intended for temporary use, Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told parliament on the second day of the 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate.

The new terminal will be located on a site which is yet to be determined, where a high-rise building will be constructed, to accommodate buses and offices, connected to the Bang Sue train station or electric train stations either via a tunnel or covered walkway.

He also said that there will be no garage at the new terminal, which means that no buses will be allowed to park at the terminal for long periods, but will have set schedules to arrive at the terminal to pick up and drop off passengers to minimise congestion at the terminal.

Suriya cited the example of the bus terminal in Tokyo, which is linked to the Tokyo MRT, adding that the Tokyo bus terminal will be used as a model in developing the terminal in Bangkok.

He admitted, however, that the conceptual new bus terminal would be very costly, noting that the land itself may cost up to 7 billion baht, but he believes that the state-run Transport Company has sufficient assets and funds for the implementation of the project, without additional government funding.

Meanwhile, the transport minister said he has instructed Transport Company to hire a consultant company to improve the facilities at the Mor Chit 2 terminal, which is becoming increasingly congested, especially during long holidays.

Some of the improvements, such as lighting systems, cleaner toilets and the removal of rented shop houses, can be completed before the long Songkran holidays, he said.