Phuket bus service a step closer to reality

PHUKET: Phuket Town is one step closer to having the bus service that has been promised for so long. The Provincial Administration Organization – which earlier announced its intention to take over the bus project from a private company, after the plan stumbled in the wake of soaring fuel prices – has received the official go-ahead from the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office, said Amnuay Sa-nguannam, Vice-Governor of Phuket. Two bus routes are scheduled to start operation in the middle of next year. One will run between Baan Sam Kong School and the Phuket Vocational College. A suggestion by local residents that this route should be extended north to the Tesco Lotus Superstore is being considered. The second route will run from Rajabhat Phuket Institute to the Laem Chan Health Office on Chao Fa Nai Rd. Buses will run every 10 to 30 minutes between 6 am to 8 pm. The fare will be five baht per person. When asked about potential opposition from tuk-tuk and motorbike taxi operators, Vice-Governor Amnuay said that everybody should put the public’s needs first.