New NGV buses begin service tomorrow

BANGKOK, March 26 (TNA) -- The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, also known as BMTA will begin running 100 new NGV buses on five main routes tomorrow as the remainder of the 489 new bus fleet will delivered by June of this year. BMTA is the main operator of public transit buses within Greater Bangkok area. Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith was the guest of honour to commence operations of newly acquired air-conditioned NGV buses today. BMTA deputy director Prayoon Chuaykaew in his capacity as acting director of BMTA revealed that the procurement of the 489 new NGV buses was handled by SCN-CHO, a joint venture between Scan Inter Plc (SCN) and Cho Tavee Plc (CHO). SCN-CHO was the sole bidder to supply the bus fleet to the BMTA. One hundred of the 489 fleet of new NGV buses will be run tomorrow March 27. These will be providing service on five main routes and includes No 20 fromPom Phra Chulachomklao to Tha Din Daeng, No 21 from Wat Khu Srang-Chulalongkorn University, No 105 from Mahachai Muang Mai- Khlong San, No 138 from Phra Pha Daeng-Mo Chit and No 140 from Samae Dam-Victory Monument. The rest of the fleet will be delivered to the BMTA by June of this year. The new buses are low-decked types measuring 12 meters in length and can seat 35 passengers. They have been designed under universal design themes that provides easier-and safer; egress and ingress for the elderly and disabled persons. The project to acquire new NGV buses for the BMTA began in 2006. It has take more than 13 years for the plan to come into fruition and finally give residents of the capital new buses to commute in. (TNA)