Busfares

[ncr]

Another question for you mass transit freaks out there:

Why do blue non-aircon buses cost more than the red ones? They are both operated by BMTA, and I cannot see any major differences in the level of comfort between them.

I can understand that yellow aircon buses are more expensive than the blue ones, as they are newer and thus probably a bit 'better', if you like.

But what about the normal buses? And how came that differentiation into red and blue ones about, anyway?

[Wisarut]

Khun NCR,

Even though the Blue bus arte also belong to BMTA, but it is the private concession, thus the fare will be higher (3.50 Baht for BMTA Red and 5 Basht for BMTA Blue). The Blue BMTA buses a re for the loss-ridden line which BMTA will REFUSE to handle directly.

However, the private concession buses are almost always more DANGEROUS to rride since the drivers have to speed up so as to reap the commission from the numebr of passengers.

Furthermore, the oners of those bule bus have forsaken the cleaning and maintainace issue to maximize their profit whcfih they will pay back to BMTA as the concession.

Now, you get the idea Khun Ncr ...

[ncr]

As of 1st February, 2004, the fare for the red buses has been raised to 4 Baht.

But maybe their end could come rather soon, as already mentioned on the main page:

Hot Buses out:
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority has been told to replace ordinary buses in the capital with new air-conditioned buses over the next two years. Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit said he wanted to phase out ordinary buses slowly as many commuters were unable to afford the air-con fares of 8-22 baht. ''With cheaper air-conditioned buses, we can lower fares, and ordinary buses can be gradually decommissioned,'' he said. Ordinary buses would be phased out in Bangkok within two years, while fares for air-conditioned buses would be cut to 7-10 baht.

(Bangkok Post, 3 February 2004)

I wonder if this would only apply to the BMTA non-aircon buses or also to the concession holders?

[Wisarut]

Khun NCR,

This will have an effect on ONLY the red BMTA buses but the concessioned buses are another matter .... especially those
which helded by the politicians like Kittisunthorn Co.Ltd. (belonged to the Hansawat family, the political baron of Pathumthani), and the concession buses run by the Asawahem family (the don of Samut Prakarn).

BMTA buses cover only 28% of buses in BKK while the other
72% covered by private concvession buses and minibuses ...

At one time, the Atsawahem is asking BTSC to reroute Samrong extension -> whcih results in storng protest from, local people who feel fed up with very poor service of the bus run by the Atsawahem family ...

[ncr]

What is it about the yellow a/c buses now only costing 10 Baht for the shortest distance (up to 4km) instead of 12 Baht? Is that official or not?

About 2 weeks ago I was surprised when I gave the usual fare of 12 Baht on my daily route and the fare collector returned 2 Baht, saying something like "10 is already enough".

Some days later I saw printed announcements in some buses stating that the lowest fare now starts at 10 Baht.

But today I was in a bus with such a notice and the collector returned just 8 Baht when I gave her a 20 Baht note!



(OK, why didn't I ask....?)

[Wisarut]

Khun NCR,

The Euro 2 Bus fare rate has been floored from 12 to 10 baht as the official TESTING and BMTA found that they gete MORE revenue from this reduction so ... I feel VERY convinced that they have to keep this way ... same can said to the new coupon system to replace weekly and monthly pass ... whcih have a proven success despite of the severasl complaines for inconvenient purchases ....

[pong]

MOST white buses are private (since last year they now all sow the company on them), but the BMTA itself has about 80 of them too: nrd. in the 30.300 series, based in the far south of Thonburi, and used on routes 7/7koh and 68.
Howver, the other few 1000 of them are mostly OLD ex-BMTA buses: rebuilt, maybe refurbished, and they do NOT accept the day and weekpasses (or the coupons).
the difference is:
Buses from BMTA have a GREN band below the windows
the other ones have a YELLOW band.
this system is now also applied to the out-of-town BoKoSo interurban buses.

[pong]

buses ahve been sold (the old doubledeckers) to JAKARTA and were removed of any signs making it visible they came from there, actually JKT (DAMRI) had English built 2-deckers, but these were used so much and so old, they became fallen into pieces. Thailand has to the best of my knowledge, never had much buses 2nd hand imported (laos has, from japan, and VNam an afwul lot, even from former France before they came independent)

[Ganyc]

Hi, Bangkok,

What are the costs and bus rides to QSNCC station from Bnagkok city centre ?, ie. what bus numbers should i look for a ride to QSNCC from Silom, Sukhumvit and Bangrak districts ? How much do these bus rides cost ?

Ganyc

[Hitesh]

Im not sure about busses but you can take the subway from Silom to QSNCC, its 3 stops which should be aroud 18 Baht.
Its 1 stop from Sukhumvit/Asoke station which is 12 Baht.

[Wisarut]

Khun GyanC,

You post in the WRONG Group ...

Webmaster, please move this article to other forum.

Okay, Listen up -> For teh case of the BMTA bus that head
to Queen Sirikit Center, are are several choices for that ... However, you have to make at leastv 2 rides to do so ....

There is an MRTA Feeder bus No. 2 (Samrong - Queen Sirikit Center). However, I have NEVER seen them yet. Therfore, you shoud ride bus No2, No 38 or so and then drop down at Soi Caowboy to ride a bus 136, 185 to Quyeen Sirikit center ...

Anotehr alternative for thsoe who stay at Silomis to go along Rma 4 road and drop down at Soi Yasoob and then make
a long walk to Queen Sirikit Center

However, the buses to Queen Sirikit is sardine canned after the fare hike ... so I QUESTION your wisdom when you ask for the buses heading to Queen Sirikit center

[Ganyc]

Your replies are appreciated. Case closed.

[The Enforcer!]

Originally posted by Wisarut
There is an MRTA Feeder bus No. 2 (Samrong - Queen Sirikit Center).

Has anyone seen one?

The Enforcer!

[jpatokal]

OK, so let's see if I've got this straight...

* Small green bus, no aircon, 3.5 baht (flat fare)
* Red bus, no aircon, 4 baht (flat)
* White/blue bus, with fan, 5 baht (flat)
* Blue bus, aircon, 8-16 baht (based on distance)
* Orange bus, aircon, 12-16 baht (based on distance)
* Microbus, 25 baht (flat)

And express buses (using the highway) usually have yellow signs in front saying so. Anything else?

[Wisarut]

KHun jpatokal,

The Express one need to add another 1.50 Baht
The Late Night Bus whcih run from 11 PM to 5 AM
would cost you another 1.50 Baht