Trial run of new bus routes starts today

BANGKOK, Aug 15 (TNA) - The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) on Tuesday kicked off the one–month trial run for eight new bus routes as part of its campaign to reform of bus routes in Bangkok and surrounding areas. The reform of bus routes is necessary to connect the bus service with other mass transit systems such as electric railway lines and passenger boats, said the Director-General of the Land Transport Department, Sanit Promwong. The authority is ready to listen to opinions of commuters and will launch more public relations campaign to help bus passengers understand more about the adjusted routes, he said. Newly-painted buses use the new numbering system with the English alphabets. Five buses started running on each new route from 6.30am to 6.30pm daily during the trial run period from Aug 15 to Sept 15. The fare is the same as normal buses of the BMTA. Route information as well as the old bus route number are displayed in front of the buses to avoid confusion. (TNA)