Thailand has rented a prototype electric bus from China already. An insider close to the government claims the cabinet will lease from China again. The cost of the lease was THB15 million. The price of importing the parts to build electric buses in Thailand would work out to THB16 million apiece.
Omsin Cheevapruek is the country’s deputy-transport-minister and he was on board when the first electric bus was given its trial run. He noted that this type of vehicle was capable of travelling 250kms on one battery charge and could reach speeds of 70kmh.
If the lease proposal actually goes ahead it could put an end to the long-running saga over replacing Bangkok’s bus fleet. The Ministry of Transport has already announced it will put the tender for the supply of 489 gas-powered (NGV) buses out again next month.
12GO ASIA does not sell tickets for travel on Bangkok’s buses. We do offer tickets for routes to other areas of the country from Bangkok’s Morchit, Ekkamai and Southern bus stations.
Bangkok mulls electric bus leasing to end purchase saga
News in Asia
The director of Bangkok’s public transport bureau has proposed leasing electric buses to replace the Thai capital’s aging fleet. Pranee Sukrasorn says leasing buses would be more cost effective and, if the government gives the green light, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority could take delivery of the first batch next year.