A couple of good buses is the answer and all that it needs. Any kind of rail system is a waste.

Posted by okrim on August 11, 2011 13:40

the MRT and BTS in Bangkok struggle to be financially self-sufficient, and they are limited in reach and have a catchment of 10m+ people. Looking at the brochure in the Governor's hands, it appears the suggestions are a number of light rail routes around Phuket. A significant reach (good in principle) but based on Bangkok's lessons and the much smaller catchment of Phuket Island, I can't see how this 'solution' can make financial sense. Even if the budget was approved to build the system, the operational costs would surely bring it to its knees soon after.

Buses should be part of the master plan by default, but we need to accept in today's world people are so obsessed with personal transport and that requires the most attention. Changing people transport plans is very hard (I would suggest impossible en mass) so the plan needs to look at current preferred mods of transport, future extrapolations of that, and then plan accordingly.

In my opinion, that plan needs to be largely road-based and allow for more personal cars/ motor transport.

Posted by Duncan on August 11, 2011 13:42

It all comes down to how much money is involved and who gets what. When was the last time anything in Phuket, or indeed Thailand, ever developed for the good of the people and the environment?

Look at the transformation of Phuket over the last 20 years - has it been developed for sustainability or to feed the greed?

Posted by Graham on August 11, 2011 14:07

How about getting rid of the tuk tuks etc,give the tuk drivers a chance to become minibus drivers with a private or public bus sevice around Phuket.
there are many ways this can be approached, with consultations and meetings between the Governor, Mayor etc and other governing bodies, this is a way forward for a sensible public bus service, but obviously to make it work compensation would probably come into it...but these tuk tuks are so out of date and dangerous gas guzzlers.. now is the time to start talking...or am i dreaming again..

Posted by johndev on August 11, 2011 14:52

I would like to see Route 5 to be implemented first...

Posted by Fritz Pinguin on August 11, 2011 18:04

The transport planning process should start with long-term forecasts of demand and evaluation of alternative networks and modes, not with artistic renderings of fancy vehicles in glossy brochures.

A rail line to Phuket Airport, especially if it ends in Chalong, will be hopelessly unviable.

Bangkok Airport serves 40 million passengers per year, more than ten times the throughput of Phuket Airport. The new Bangkok Airport Rail Link carries only 2,000 passengers per day. The railway operates a 15-minute frequency for 12 hours. Thus, each train carries, on average, 20 passengers at a single fare of 90 baht.

There is no corridor in Phuket where demand for public transport service will reach the capacity even of a conventional bus system. Due to the lack of public transport, Phuket is now dependent on motorcycles and cars.

Rail systems should only be considered in corridors which are already full of buses.

Posted by Nemo on August 11, 2011 21:25

How come the Governor is only ever here 1-2 years before he retires, yet the Mayor is here forever. Which one has more power?

Both of them seem to be lacking common sense though when it comes to Phuket's Traffic Problems.

First of, speed cameras and traffic light cameras, will bring in revenue and after 6 months of catching people, they may all start behaving themselves on the road.
Secondly, the Police need to arrest people for dangerous and wreckless driving, which means, bad over/under taking, cutting corners like it's a race track, towing cars that park on the main road including the bypass and finally removing the U-turns and making proper fly overs so people are not risking their lives and others.

All this would cost a fraction of the cost they are proposing.

Not to mention the traffic is at a halt in Patong already so adding a tunnel would not ease congestion.

Posted by Tbs on August 15, 2011 01:26

@Editor Comment: Governors do not have authority over many departments, or the police. Mayors have to answer to local councils. Both should be seen as "gentle persuaders."

WHistleBlower's answer: The conclusion is "Inflential People" or "Local M**** Gangs" are the real powers on Phuket.
Hopeless situation.

Posted by Whistle-Blower on August 15, 2011 08:34