BANGKOK, Thailand – The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTSC) launched the new electric vehicle (EV) buses for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line running between Sathorn and Ratchaphruek on September 1. The 15.9-kilometer route, which previously used natural gas (NGV) buses for 14 years until August 31, now features modern air-conditioned EV buses.
The BRT service will be free of charge from September 1 to October 31, operating from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM. After this period, a fare will be implemented, with an automatic fare collection system on the buses, replacing the traditional ticketing system at stations. Payments can be made using Rabbit cards or by scanning a QR code.
Additionally, two new stops have been added to the route: Chan Nuea Road Station and Chan Tai Road Station, bringing the total number of stops to 14.
The new BRT EV buses have a low-floor design, offering 30 seats and central doors on both sides for easy boarding and alighting. They are equipped with ramps for wheelchair access, five CCTV cameras, GPS with real-time position displays inside the bus, seat belts at every seat, and emergency exit doors.
BTSC won the contract to develop the BRT system through an electronic bidding process, offering the lowest bid at 465 million baht. The contract covers a period of five years, from 2024 to 2029. The BMA will set and announce the fare rates at a later date.
