The brand-new electric bus fleet of Bangkok is now complete and ready for service

After the new year, Greater Bangkok’s aging fleet of vehicles that emit black smoke will be replaced by 1,250 electric buses, which were unveiled by the Transport Ministry on Saturday.

The fleet of diesel cars that have been in service for more than 20 years and are criticized for polluting the air in the city will be replaced by the buses that are being purchased. According to the data provided by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, there are more than 2,000 buses in Bangkok that are older than 20 years. This includes 1,520 red buses and 179 blue air-conditioned vehicles. The Minister of Transport, Saksayam Chidchob, has stated that the electric buses will make it simpler to travel throughout Greater Bangkok. He also mentioned that wheelchair access will be included on the buses. He also mentioned that they are equipped with a global positioning system (GPS), an electronic ticketing system, and security cameras.

According to what he said, “These electric buses will be deployed on routes across Greater Bangkok and connect with other public transports in order to meet the demands of passengers, improve quality of life, find solutions to traffic difficulties, and reduce PM2.5 pollution.” He also mentioned that within the next three years, the Ministry of Transportation plans to raise the number of electric buses operating in Greater Bangkok to 8,000. Saksayam stated that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications also has other so-called “New Year gifts” for the public. One example of this is the exemption of tollway fees on expressways such as Burapha Withi, Kanchanaphisek, Chalerm Mahanakorn, Si Rat, and Udon Ratthaya. He went on to say that the Department of Highways would also be waiving tollway payments on Motorways No. 6 (Bang Pa-in-Nakhon Ratchasima), No. 7 (Bangkok-Ban Chang), and No. 9 (the Outer Ring Road or Kanchanapisek Road).