The city’s bus operator, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, have unveiled its first Japanese-made hybrid bus which will be put on trial run for five months from today until November 15.
Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisit and his deputy, Mr Omsin Chivapruek, were among a group of VIPs and reporters, took a ride of the diesel-electric bus from the Transport Ministry to Sanam Luang and back to the starting point.
Initially, the only hybrid bus will be put on test service in Route 137 between Ramkhamhaeng and Ratchadapisek for a certain period of time after which it will be operated in the other routes until November 15 when the test runs will be completed.
During the test runs, data concerning fuel consumption and efficiency, practicality of the hybrid bus and other aspects will be collected and evaluated to determine whether a fleet of this kind of bus should be bought in the future.
Imported from Japan, the bus has 26 seats and has enough space for 40-50 people standing. The four front seats can be folded up to accommodate two wheel chairs.
The bus normally runs with its diesel engine but when traffic is bad, it will switch to electricity.
