500 NGV-powered buses purchased to serve Bangkokians

BANGKOK, Oct 1 (TNA) -- A total of 489 new natural gas vehicle (NGV) buses will start serving passengers in Bangkok later this year, said Transport Deputy Minister Omsin Chiwaphruek. The purchase deal of 489 NGV-powered buses valued 3.389 billion baht was officially signed Friday between the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and the Bestlin Group. Also, a sample of NGV bus with 34 seats and equipped with a GPS, free Wi-Fi, a CCTV camera to monitor the driver behavior and to ensure that the bus is heading toward the right direction, and an E-ticket system was displayed during the signing ceremony witnessed by Mr Omsin. The cabinet approved a plan to buy 3,183 NGV buses valued at 13 billion baht in 2005. But the BMTA has decided to instead buy 489 NGV buses along with 200 electric vehicles and repair 500 ordinary and 200 air-conditioned buses as the budget would be cut to 43 billion baht. The revised plan will be submitted to the state-run National Economic and Social Development Board next Wednesday before forwarding to the Cabinet for the final decision. Meanwhile, BMTA director Surachai Eamvachirasakul said he had already explained to the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission on the financial status of Bestlin Group before and after the bidding process for the NGV buses. He said he found that the firm has a solid financial status and there should not be a problem in buying the buses. (TNA)