BMTA: No need to find more garages for NGV buses

BANGKOK, 15 October 2009 (NNT) – The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) confirms there is no need to find more garages for 4,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, widely known as NGV buses. The bus project’s bidding will begin this November.

BMTA Chairperson Piyapan Champasut said the 26 existing garages operated by the BMTA and its joint operators were sufficient for the 4,000 CNG buses. Based on a study conducted by BMTA, all of the garages can accommodate up to 3,500 buses. Mr Piyapan added that many private companies were also offering free parking spaces for the 4,000 buses if the buses bought CNG from them.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Sopon Zarum has appointed Deputy Permanent Secretary for Transport Tawanrat Ornsira as chairperson of a committee to follow up on and evaluate the progress of the 4,000 CNG bus leasing scheme.

The controversial bus project was proposed to the government by the coalition Bhumjaithai party amid criticisms of corruption due to excessively high rent and maintenance costs.