PHUKET: The fate of Phuket's beleagured bus terminus is likely to become apparent today in an Administrative Court in Nakorn Si Tammarat where a protest about the project is scheduled to be heard.
Back in Phuket, the new terminus - it was new when it was completed back in October 2010 - is being readied for opening before May if the protest is dismissed today.
Phuket's Deputy Director of Transport, Wanta Pumaroadsukon, said today that he was confident the final hurdle for the project would be overcome.
''There are about 30 names on the petition but some are from Trang, Pattalung and Phang Nga,'' he said. ''The only one that really counts is the former mayor of Rassada, Surathin Lien-udom.''
As mayor, Khun Surathin supported having the bus terminus in Rassada as part of his 2008 election campaign, Khun Wanta said. The then mayor travelled to Korat to see how the bus terminus there utilised a median strip u-turn, he said.
''Soon after, the mayor's support for completion of the bus terminus ceased,'' Khun Wanta said. The problem was that the buses needed a u-turn outside the bus terminus, and the mayor's house was directly opposite the terminus.
''There are some inconsistencies,'' Khun Wanta said. ''Most of the people complaining are from Rassada Moo 6 but the bus terminus is in Rassada Moo 2.''
Work is being carried out on the terminus so that as soon as possible after a decision comes, the project can be finished and buses can start rolling.
''Once everything is fixed, we should be able to open before May,'' he said. ''The next election for the Mayor of Rassada is in May, so we would like to have it wrapped up and open before then.''
The bus terminal is officially supposed to be run by Rassada municipal council.
Once the new terminus in Thepkasattri Road opens, buses linking Phuket with other provinces will all move there.
The old terminus off Phang Nga Road in central Phuket City will become the terminus for the local buses that now operate from outside the downtown martket, and a new pink bus connection will run between the two.
Back in Phuket, the new terminus - it was new when it was completed back in October 2010 - is being readied for opening before May if the protest is dismissed today.
Phuket's Deputy Director of Transport, Wanta Pumaroadsukon, said today that he was confident the final hurdle for the project would be overcome.
''There are about 30 names on the petition but some are from Trang, Pattalung and Phang Nga,'' he said. ''The only one that really counts is the former mayor of Rassada, Surathin Lien-udom.''
As mayor, Khun Surathin supported having the bus terminus in Rassada as part of his 2008 election campaign, Khun Wanta said. The then mayor travelled to Korat to see how the bus terminus there utilised a median strip u-turn, he said.
''Soon after, the mayor's support for completion of the bus terminus ceased,'' Khun Wanta said. The problem was that the buses needed a u-turn outside the bus terminus, and the mayor's house was directly opposite the terminus.
''There are some inconsistencies,'' Khun Wanta said. ''Most of the people complaining are from Rassada Moo 6 but the bus terminus is in Rassada Moo 2.''
Work is being carried out on the terminus so that as soon as possible after a decision comes, the project can be finished and buses can start rolling.
''Once everything is fixed, we should be able to open before May,'' he said. ''The next election for the Mayor of Rassada is in May, so we would like to have it wrapped up and open before then.''
The bus terminal is officially supposed to be run by Rassada municipal council.
Once the new terminus in Thepkasattri Road opens, buses linking Phuket with other provinces will all move there.
The old terminus off Phang Nga Road in central Phuket City will become the terminus for the local buses that now operate from outside the downtown martket, and a new pink bus connection will run between the two.
I just wonder how much money will have to be spent on renovation of a building which has not been used for two years, left in the weather without maintenance.
Posted by Fritz Pinguin on March 6, 2012 09:46