Bangkok,, Deputy Transport Minister reveals BMTA plan to speed up the procurement of 3,300 electric buses, flagging the first phase of renting 350 cars, expecting to receive the buses this November, solving the problem of passengers waiting for long periods of time for buses. Increase convenience for service users Mrs. Monporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, revealed that the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) has now begun procuring clean energy air-conditioned buses. In order to improve the quality of bus service Phase 1 will rent an additional 350 cars, which will be received in November 2024, while Phase 2 will rent 1,520 EV cars, ready to receive cars in April 2025, so there will be a number of new cars arriving. A total of 1,870 vehicles will be used to replace the old buses with diesel engines. and have a lifespan of more than 30 years. As for the third phase, clean energy vehicles will be procured according to 1,520 vehicles of the Joint Investment Act (PPP) are currently in the proces s of being submitted to the board for funding. To hire a consultant to prepare a preliminary PPP study report, it is expected that PPP co-investors will be sought and ready to gradually receive vehicles from the end of 2028 onwards. In all three phases, there are a total of 3,390 buses. The plan to procure more buses requires that there be enough buses to provide service. Because people tend to use the service continuously. At the same time, passengers will no longer have to wait for a long time for their car. Mrs. Monporn said that she has ordered the BMTA to develop in every aspect, both in process and concretely completed. In accordance with the assigned policy, the BMTA has reported 12 outstanding projects, including 1. Procurement of 3,390 buses. 2. Pushing forward the plan to drive the business of the mass transit organization. 3. Nai Tha Leu Fort development project 4. Medical expenses welfare project Employees do not need to reserve cash. to pay for medical care 5. Project to rent 51 electric train s for office use. 6. Project to hire consultants to operate in accordance with Personal Data Protection Act 2019 7. Project to install a GPS system to track bus locations. 8. Project to install CCTV cameras in buses. 9. Project to increase efficiency in bus management at BMTA, etc. Source: Thai News Agency