Bus operators have been urged to ensure smooth and safe journeys for travellers during the upcoming water-splashing Songkran Festival as the number of passengers is expected to reach 1.2 million.
Transport Company President Wuttichart Kalayanamitr on Wednesday called a meeting of authorities concerned to prepare for the prospective 1.2 million passengers, an average 200,000 people, a day during the long Songkran holiday.
He said the Transport Company will increase the services of interprovincial buses and vans with an additional overall 1,600 trips on top of 5,000 trips per day that operate normally.
There will be 7,000 trips on average to serve the public every day during Songkran to make sure that all passengers reach their destinations on time, he said.
Bus operators should be able to handle the increasing passenger demand, expected to peak at about 212,000 people on April 11, he said, while more security personnel will be deployed at bus terminals to ensure safety for all holiday-makers.
Mr Wutthichart said that the company also called on bus operators to arrange for experienced drivers for double-deck buses during the Songkran festival, and said buses should be closely inspected to ensure safety.
The drivers should also be the local residents as they are more familiar with the road conditions and routes. However, he noted that there is no record of accidents involving double-deck buses during festivals.
