Bangkok to receive 500 electric buses in clean energy transition
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) plans to replace its natural gas-powered (NGV) buses with an all-new lineup of electric-powered (EV) air-conditioned buses, beginning with a delivery of 500 EV buses this year.
BMTA Director Kittikan Chomdoung Charuworapolkul provided an update on the agency’s progress in leasing electric buses, marking a transition from NGV buses to cleaner energy alternatives.
The updated plan, supporting clean energy, has been submitted to the Ministry of Transport. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) is compiling the plan’s details before the Ministry forwards it to the Secretariat of the Cabinet (SoC).
Kittikan explained that the revision was necessary to clarify the rationale for transitioning to EV buses without changing the original budget or project scope. The first phase involves leasing 1,520 electric buses under a seven-year (2025 to 2032) contract via e-bidding, with a total budget of 15.3 billion baht.
Originally, the plan was to be included in the Cabinet’s agenda early last month, but delays in the review process have postponed it.
Despite these delays, Kittikan confirmed that the BMTA will receive the first 500 EV buses this year, with the remainder expected by next year.
As part of its overarching aim to modernise its fleet, the BMTA plans to retire 60% of its combustion-engine buses, totalling 2,300, by 2029. The shift to EV buses is anticipated to significantly reduce fuel and maintenance costs, as EV buses are three times cheaper to operate than combustion-engine buses.
Currently, the BMTA operates a total of 2,884 buses, comprising 1,520 non-air-conditioned and 1,364 air-conditioned buses, reported Bangkok Post.
The agency plans to also adjust its bus routes and schedules to better meet passenger demand and further decrease fuel consumption.
In related public transport news, Thai Smile Bus, operating primarily in Bangkok, has expanded its payment options, now allowing passengers to pay using QR codes via PromptPay across all routes.
Additionally, the service now supports Digital E-Wallet payments, such as True Money Wallet, which came into effect on March 1.
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