BANGKOK, 25 September 2015 – The Ministry of Transport is preparing its procurement proposal for electric buses in the Bangkok area.
Transport Minister Omsin Chiwaphruek revealed that he will ask the Cabinet to revise its decision to import more than 3,000 natural gas buses and instead purchase 200 electric buses, in order to meet the urgent demand for public transport in the capital.
According to Mr. Omsin, electric buses, despite their higher initial price, will be more cost effective than natural gas ones in the long run.
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) earlier completed bidding for the procurement of 489 natural gas buses. However, the vehicles have yet to enter service, pending a probe into complaints of malfeasance.
The minister said he would inquire about the progress of the probe at a meeting with BMTA’s board of directors on September 28.
