Private sector to join Mo Chit bus terminal development plan

BANGKOK, July 14 (TNA) -- The Transport Ministry may ask the private sector to help develop the new Mo Chit bus terminal that will return to its original location opposite Chatuchak market. Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit said state-run Transport Co had planned the relocation of the interprovincial bus hub to the area now occupied by the BTS skytrain maintenance centre and the park-and-ride space near the BTS Chatuchak station on the condition that the terminal could be moved back and occupy at least 100,000 square meters of usable space. As Transport Co could afford only information and bus ticketing systems at the new Mo Chit bus terminal, private participation was possible for the development of the new terminal. The Transport Ministry was studying the participation, Mr Pichit said. He assured that the relocation from on Kamphaeng Phet Road back to Phahon Yothin Road would not cause traffic problems because there would be ramps to connect the new Mo Chit terminal to Vibhavadi Rangsit Road and the Din Daeng-Don Muang tollway above the road. Mr Pichit predicted that the relocation would take about six years. He said the present location of the Mo Chit bus terminal was part of a big land plot that would be developed into the Bang Sue transport hub of electric railways including high-speed ones. (TNA)