The non-airconditioned buses on Bangkok’s Route 8 will be phased out soon since their operators do not have the required qualifications. While these buses remain in service, 40 new buses from the new route operator will begin service on August 20th. The new electric buses are expected to help reduce Bangkok’s PM2.5 dust problem.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob presided over a ceremony to mark the start of operation for electric buses on Bangkok’s route no. 2-38. These vehicles are replacing the aging buses on Route 8, which will be phased out soon. Thai Smile Bus Co., Ltd.’s (TSB) new electric buses are expected to assist reduce the PM2.5 dust problem.
Mr. Saksayam stated that buses on route No. 8 are the first to be replaced as part of a policy to replace all 237 routes in Greater Bangkok with electric buses. Old buses, especially those without air conditioning, will be replaced by electric buses within three years, according to him.
Kulpornphat Wongmacharpinya, Chief Executive Officer of TSB, said that the business has purchased 153 electric buses for the initial phase of operation. All 40 buses will be deployed beginning tomorrow (20 August). All remaining buses will be operational by the end of this month. According to Ms. Kulpornphat, all buses are outfitted with E-ticket devices, which will be fully operational in September. The buses will still accept cash. The E-ticket system was created with the goal of allowing payment across numerous modes of transportation. The route’s fares will be 15, 20, or 25 baht.
According to Ms. Kulpornphat, 15% of the individuals servicing the route will be former employees of companies that used to operate the No. 8 buses.