BANGKOK, 6 Sep 2014, – The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) held a seminar yesterday to discuss the details of the plan to purchase 3,183 new NGV buses; however, no concrete conclusion was reached, signaling a possible delay in the purchasing process.
The seminar was attended by related agencies such as Thailand Association of Disabled, and various private organizations.
The Chairman of the BMTA Managing Board, Pol Gen Ake Angsananont, revealed that setting the medium price of the purchase was the main focus of the meeting, saying the BMTA’s previous Terms Of Reference Committee settled the prices of regular NGV buses at 3.8 million baht, and 4.5 million baht for air-conditioned ones.
The attendees, however, said that the prices were still too high, pointing out that these prices had been set without a thorough survey of local and international bus manufacturers.
The BMTA acknowledged the suggestion and promised to conduct another price survey.
Meanwhile, the Thailand Association of the Disabled advised that all buses should have a low platform to make them accessible to those using wheelchairs; however, the BMTA said floods and uneven the surface of Bangkok roads and bridges would make it difficult to drive buses with a low platform, but said it would bring the matter to the board meeting on Monday for further discussion.
