PHUKET: Low-cost buses should be running from Phuket International Airport to west coast beaches before the end of the month - with two police officers on board each bus if necessary, a Phuket transport expert said today.
Phuket Land Transport Office specialist Jaturong Keawkasi told Phuket media that only one or two public meetings were needed before the bus service could start.
Today's meeting about the airport service drew together representatives from Phuket's key commercial and tourism groups, united in their keenness for the low-cost hop-on, hop-off service.
Taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers in the Kata-Karon district have previously turned out to say they will blockade Phuket's streets if the buses roll.
The message to the drivers today was that the bus service would benefit all residents and tourists, that it would do them no harm, and that the service was something Phuket had long needed.
Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada chaired the meeting at the Phuket Land Transport Office in Saphan Hin.
He criticised Phuket officials in the past for failing to solve Phuket's problems:
''If we are going to solve the problems, they say, we have to ask the locals. This is the way it seems to happen on Phuket. We have laws, but Phuket does not use them - unless they provide a better living for locals.''
He was congratulated by Phuket Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Chanchai Dungjid for helping Phuket Land Transport Director Terayoot Prasertphol to push the bus service.
''We all know that Phuket needs this service,'' he said.
Jognrak Narukatpichai, of the Industrial Federation of Phuket, said: ''We can't let a small group of people prevent the proper development of Phuket.''
The Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Jakkrit Engchuan, said: ''It's for the benefit of everyone on Phuket. Everyone wants it. The bus service is a very useful project.''
Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are unlikely to suffer because bus passengers will still need to go on to their resorts or homes after alighting.
How the bus stops and taxis and tuk-tuks can be accommodated remains to be sorted but the six places where buses will stop and fares have been suggested.
A ride from Phuket International Airport is likely to be too long for some - it could take up to two hours to reach Kata, the meeting heard. Many will prefer more expensive taxis.
The six buses now decorated with Airport Express signage are likely to grow to eight or 10, specialist Khun Jaturong said.
The 24-seat buses would operate between 6am and 9pm.
He said a start should be made ''within this month'' and added that two police should ride on each bus if necessary for protection from possible attacks.
First stop will be Thalang (60 baht) then the Heroines Monument, the Tesco Lotus intersection in Phuket City (80 baht) Patong (120 baht) and Kata (150 baht).
A date has yet to be set for a large public meeting at Rajabhat University in Phuket City.
The extortionate fares charged by the taxi and tuk-tuk monopoly remain a concern whether or not the Phuket Airport bus service runs.
Europe's ambassadors, who meet on Phuket on Friday, say that many tourists compare taxi fares in Bangkok and Phuket and are turned off because the Phuket fares are as much as 10 times higher.
Phuket Land Transport Office specialist Jaturong Keawkasi told Phuket media that only one or two public meetings were needed before the bus service could start.
Today's meeting about the airport service drew together representatives from Phuket's key commercial and tourism groups, united in their keenness for the low-cost hop-on, hop-off service.
Taxi drivers and tuk-tuk drivers in the Kata-Karon district have previously turned out to say they will blockade Phuket's streets if the buses roll.
The message to the drivers today was that the bus service would benefit all residents and tourists, that it would do them no harm, and that the service was something Phuket had long needed.
Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada chaired the meeting at the Phuket Land Transport Office in Saphan Hin.
He criticised Phuket officials in the past for failing to solve Phuket's problems:
''If we are going to solve the problems, they say, we have to ask the locals. This is the way it seems to happen on Phuket. We have laws, but Phuket does not use them - unless they provide a better living for locals.''
He was congratulated by Phuket Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Chanchai Dungjid for helping Phuket Land Transport Director Terayoot Prasertphol to push the bus service.
''We all know that Phuket needs this service,'' he said.
Jognrak Narukatpichai, of the Industrial Federation of Phuket, said: ''We can't let a small group of people prevent the proper development of Phuket.''
The Chairman of the Phuket Chamber of Commerce, Jakkrit Engchuan, said: ''It's for the benefit of everyone on Phuket. Everyone wants it. The bus service is a very useful project.''
Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers are unlikely to suffer because bus passengers will still need to go on to their resorts or homes after alighting.
How the bus stops and taxis and tuk-tuks can be accommodated remains to be sorted but the six places where buses will stop and fares have been suggested.
A ride from Phuket International Airport is likely to be too long for some - it could take up to two hours to reach Kata, the meeting heard. Many will prefer more expensive taxis.
The six buses now decorated with Airport Express signage are likely to grow to eight or 10, specialist Khun Jaturong said.
The 24-seat buses would operate between 6am and 9pm.
He said a start should be made ''within this month'' and added that two police should ride on each bus if necessary for protection from possible attacks.
First stop will be Thalang (60 baht) then the Heroines Monument, the Tesco Lotus intersection in Phuket City (80 baht) Patong (120 baht) and Kata (150 baht).
A date has yet to be set for a large public meeting at Rajabhat University in Phuket City.
The extortionate fares charged by the taxi and tuk-tuk monopoly remain a concern whether or not the Phuket Airport bus service runs.
Europe's ambassadors, who meet on Phuket on Friday, say that many tourists compare taxi fares in Bangkok and Phuket and are turned off because the Phuket fares are as much as 10 times higher.
COULD :>
I bet: WONT
I know it, phuketwan knows it, everyone knows it
Posted by silky on June 11, 2013 19:00
Editor Comment:
Have you been saving that up for your first comment, silky? How disappointing.