ANGKOK,
DEC 21 (TNA) – Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) puts another batch of
NGV-powered buses on service on Thursday, as part of its plan to acquire a
total of 489 new buses.
Prime
Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha presided over the launch of 50 buses that have
recently been delivered to the BMTA, replacing old ones on 26 routes.
Under
the BMTA’s restructuring plan, it will receive the total of 489 new buses by
March next year. The new 35-seat buses
are designed for universal accessibility and equipped with CCTV cameras, GPS
and e-ticket systems.
In
the future, WiFi service will be installed on the buses, BMTA officials say.
After
the launch at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration office in Din Daeng district,
the prime minister took a short test ride on a bus. As his bus was leaving the venue, a blunder
occurred when an inflatable arch slowly deflated blocking the road.
Prayut
commented only that the new bus was comfortable, urging everyone to try out.
The
new NGV buses costs BMTA Bt4.26 billion.
After a long wait, the first batch of 100 environment-friendly public
buses was delivered in March this year. (TNA)
