InfoQuest (December10, 2020) - Thailand's Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob, announced the progress of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) Recovery Plan and said that BMTA may put the first batch of electric buses into use around May 2021 if the Cabinet Meeting approved within December; otherwise, the issue may be delayed.
"The Ministry is ready for all kinds of questions raised by the Cabinet, and for adjustments in case ofdifferent opinions between the Cabinet and the Ministry. But now, we receive no reply from the Cabinet and have to delay many issues. The BMTA's capital reserves are gradually decreasing and the mass have to take buses without quality assurance. Further, existing buses are polluting, because most of them have been in use for more than 20 years"Saksayam added.
The Ministry of Transporthas consulted relevant departmentsfor the plan approval more than a month ago and has submitted to the Office of the Cabinet Secretary-General at the Cabinet Meeting. Currently, the Ministry is still expecting for the Cabinet's reply.
According to Saksayam, he has reported such delay to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who had also urged the solution. Early, the Ministry of Transportplanned to put the first 400 electric buses into use in March 2021, but the excessive delay has resulted in the failure.
In the Recovery Plan, 2,511 electric buses will be purchased for 108 routes, with first 400 buses delivered by the winnerof BMTA’s public bidding in March 2021, 400 buses delivered every month thereafter, and 2,511 busesfully delivered within seven months.
Source: InfoQuest, by TanawatSuayaem/Saowalak/Rachada, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
Notice: No person, organization and/or company shall disseminate or broadcast the above article on Xinhua Silk Road website without prior permission by Xinhua Silk Road.
A single purchase
