PHUKET: Phuket needs an efficient network of buses, not a light rail link, says the Director of Transportation Phuket, Terayoot Prasertphol, who also believes 20-baht tuk-tuks should run around Patong's one-way loop.
The opinions of the key man in transport on Phuket are likely to ignite a passionate response from those who believe a light rail link from Phuket International Airport to Phuket City and beyond can resolve Phuket's travel issues.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has yet to commit Phuket to a multi-billion baht light rail link but at least 10 willing constructors are expected to line up next month to explain why their system is better than the others.
Yet still many question the assumption that Phuket needs a light rail link from Phuket International Airport when Phuket City is not where most holidaymakers want to go. They're mostly in a hurry to reach the west coast destinations of Patong, Karon or Kata.
Among those against a light rail answer is Khun Terayoot, who spent eight years in the Phuket role previously before two years in Krabi.
''Think about it,'' he told Phuketwan. ''If you have a light rail link from the north to the south of the Phuket, who is going to use it? Who will the passengers be?''
''Is there a big enough demand? I don't believe there is.''
Others also question the build-it-and-they-will-come philosophy of the light rail system, which could cost as much as 20 billion baht.
For much less, Phuket could buy plenty of ''green'' low-impact buses and shuttle passengers directly from Phuket airport to a variety of west coast destinations.
With a central pickup in the new airport - pushing to one side the monopolies of the limousines and taxis - and smaller bus stations in Karon, Patong, Kata and Rawai, buses could be direct, efficient and low-cost.
''I suggested to my bosses in the Transportation department that buses would serve Phuket better,'' Khun Terayoot said. ''We have to make the choice.
''To me, a private light rail system especially would not get Phuket where it needs to go.''
He said the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation had already proved it could capably run Phuket's pink bus network in and around Phuket City. The PPAO could also run a network of buses to serve the entire island, he said.
It's difficult for anyone to see how a light rail system can fit on Phuket's already crowded roads, except as an elevated system that will destroy forever the illusion that Phuket is a holiday island.
People do not come to Phuket to holiday in a city just like the ones most of them are trying to break free from. They come to Phuket for the beaches and the reefs. They want to enjoy the illusion that Phuket is a tropical island destination.
Buses can help to maintain the illusion. A light rail system, especially an elevated one, destroys it.
''We have to make the choice,'' Khun Terayoot said. ''But if you ask me, buses provided the answer for Phuket. A light rail system does not.''
Transportation is considered Phuket's number one issue by everyone, from anti-corruption authorities to the tourists who have to pay excessive fares in taxis and tuk-tuks because there is no alternative.
''There is not much point in pretending that Phuket's transport problems will be solved by a light rail system,'' Khun Terayoot said. ''In many ways, such a prject really just avoids tackling the problems.''
He believes Phuket fares in tuk-tuks and taxis are too high and need to be standardised so they are lower and not negotiable.
He also believes resorts and retail outlets, including jewellery shops, should stop paying commissions to drivers who deliver guest to them, whether the guests wish to go shopping, or change resorts, or not.
''This system has been abandoned in most overseas holiday destinations,'' he said. ''It's wrong of drivers to tell tourists that a resort has shut down just because they want to collect the commission at some other resort.''
The outdated system where taxis and tuk-tuks could take travellers to another part of Phuket but not pick up a return fare also needs to be abandoned in favor of a modern system, he said.
''This idea was introduced 30 years ago, when Phuket was still a collection of villages, each with their own commitment to locals. One or two mayors still say the plan is to protect local workers.
''But times have changed. And in the 21st century, it's important to protect tourists as well.
''It's possible to devise a taxi and tuk-tuk system that would protect the jobs of locals and prevent the tourists from choosing other destinations, too. Negatives like this are what drives tourists to quit Phuket for places where services are better.''
One idea that Khun Terayoot plans to pass on to Patong Mayor Pian Keesin is for a group of tuk-tuk drivers to circle Patong, picking up passengers at 20 baht a trip.
The drivers should be paid 1000 baht a day for their involvement in the service, Khun Terayoot said, and the tuk-tuks could be painted a special color.
''This would help ease Patong's traffic problems because locals and tourists would then have a choice between tuk-tuks and their own motorcycles,'' he said.
Phuket Polls Will Force Entertainment ShutdownThe opinions of the key man in transport on Phuket are likely to ignite a passionate response from those who believe a light rail link from Phuket International Airport to Phuket City and beyond can resolve Phuket's travel issues.
Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha has yet to commit Phuket to a multi-billion baht light rail link but at least 10 willing constructors are expected to line up next month to explain why their system is better than the others.
Yet still many question the assumption that Phuket needs a light rail link from Phuket International Airport when Phuket City is not where most holidaymakers want to go. They're mostly in a hurry to reach the west coast destinations of Patong, Karon or Kata.
Among those against a light rail answer is Khun Terayoot, who spent eight years in the Phuket role previously before two years in Krabi.
''Think about it,'' he told Phuketwan. ''If you have a light rail link from the north to the south of the Phuket, who is going to use it? Who will the passengers be?''
''Is there a big enough demand? I don't believe there is.''
Others also question the build-it-and-they-will-come philosophy of the light rail system, which could cost as much as 20 billion baht.
For much less, Phuket could buy plenty of ''green'' low-impact buses and shuttle passengers directly from Phuket airport to a variety of west coast destinations.
With a central pickup in the new airport - pushing to one side the monopolies of the limousines and taxis - and smaller bus stations in Karon, Patong, Kata and Rawai, buses could be direct, efficient and low-cost.
''I suggested to my bosses in the Transportation department that buses would serve Phuket better,'' Khun Terayoot said. ''We have to make the choice.
''To me, a private light rail system especially would not get Phuket where it needs to go.''
He said the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation had already proved it could capably run Phuket's pink bus network in and around Phuket City. The PPAO could also run a network of buses to serve the entire island, he said.
It's difficult for anyone to see how a light rail system can fit on Phuket's already crowded roads, except as an elevated system that will destroy forever the illusion that Phuket is a holiday island.
People do not come to Phuket to holiday in a city just like the ones most of them are trying to break free from. They come to Phuket for the beaches and the reefs. They want to enjoy the illusion that Phuket is a tropical island destination.
Buses can help to maintain the illusion. A light rail system, especially an elevated one, destroys it.
''We have to make the choice,'' Khun Terayoot said. ''But if you ask me, buses provided the answer for Phuket. A light rail system does not.''
Transportation is considered Phuket's number one issue by everyone, from anti-corruption authorities to the tourists who have to pay excessive fares in taxis and tuk-tuks because there is no alternative.
''There is not much point in pretending that Phuket's transport problems will be solved by a light rail system,'' Khun Terayoot said. ''In many ways, such a prject really just avoids tackling the problems.''
He believes Phuket fares in tuk-tuks and taxis are too high and need to be standardised so they are lower and not negotiable.
He also believes resorts and retail outlets, including jewellery shops, should stop paying commissions to drivers who deliver guest to them, whether the guests wish to go shopping, or change resorts, or not.
''This system has been abandoned in most overseas holiday destinations,'' he said. ''It's wrong of drivers to tell tourists that a resort has shut down just because they want to collect the commission at some other resort.''
The outdated system where taxis and tuk-tuks could take travellers to another part of Phuket but not pick up a return fare also needs to be abandoned in favor of a modern system, he said.
''This idea was introduced 30 years ago, when Phuket was still a collection of villages, each with their own commitment to locals. One or two mayors still say the plan is to protect local workers.
''But times have changed. And in the 21st century, it's important to protect tourists as well.
''It's possible to devise a taxi and tuk-tuk system that would protect the jobs of locals and prevent the tourists from choosing other destinations, too. Negatives like this are what drives tourists to quit Phuket for places where services are better.''
One idea that Khun Terayoot plans to pass on to Patong Mayor Pian Keesin is for a group of tuk-tuk drivers to circle Patong, picking up passengers at 20 baht a trip.
The drivers should be paid 1000 baht a day for their involvement in the service, Khun Terayoot said, and the tuk-tuks could be painted a special color.
''This would help ease Patong's traffic problems because locals and tourists would then have a choice between tuk-tuks and their own motorcycles,'' he said.
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Way to go, K. Terayoot, for calling out this unclothed, light-rail emperor.
The answer, as he notes is simple. Buses.
Posted by David on June 22, 2011 10:54