BMTA to open bidding for NGV buses

BANGKOK, May 21 (TNA) -- Debt-ridden Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) will launch a fresh bidding for 489 NGV-powered buses in an attempt to modernise its buses running in the Thai capital. Surachai Eamvachirasakul, director of BMTA, said the agency will sell bidding applications for the NGV-fuelled buses next Monday after holding public forum on the issue thrice and the agency hopes that bidding this time would be transparent so that buses could be gradually delivered later this year. Bidding for 489 NGV-powered buses was first launched last year but was revoked later following an outcry on term of references. The plan to buy NGV-powered buses is one of the three major programmes that BMTA plans to modernise its buses. It also plans to repair 672 buses and procure 200 electric-powered buses. BMTA plans to seek 4.3 billion baht from the cabinet for investment. The bus agency has laid seven measures to restructure its business besides buying new buses. These measures include adopting a GPS technology, requesting the Finance Ministry to be responsible for both principal and interest carried by BMTA, cut its staff by 3,000 from the current 12,000, implementation of E-ticket system and finding ways to lower rental fees on bus stations from the owners. (TNA)