PHUKET: Phuket's airport to beaches buses will be rolling soon, just as Phuketwan predicted, but they will only be going as far as Patong beach for now.
Phuket Land Transport Office specialist Jaturong Keawkasi said this afternoon that the new service will begin once the private contractor has given the buses one final maintenance check.
''It won't be long now,'' he said after a sign-off meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall at which Phuket Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada signalled that the service had his official approval to roll.
At the meeting were key Phuket officials representing all sections of business as well as police and the prosector's office.
The mesage was plain: the buses are rolling, whether Phuket's tuk-tuk and taxi drivers approve or not.
So far only the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers of Kata-Karon have opposed the low-cost hop-on, hop-off service, indicating they will stage blockades to stop the buses.
A public meeting is to be held over the extension of the service from Patong to Karon.
But for now, attention is on how soon the buses could be running, with the decision in the hands of the private contractors, OS Carrent and Tour Co., who have at least six buses ready to roll in ''Airport Express'' livery and will be aiming to paint more.
The bus stop signs revealed at the meeting were all in English and contained the easily made error of confusing 12am with 12pm.
Every day from 9am to 7.30pm the buses will roll, initially every 90 minutes. It's not known whether - as has been suggested - there will be extra security arrangements for the start of the service.
Specialist Khun Jaturong said after the meeting that someone had told him it would be necessary to put the Bus Stop signs in Thai as well as English, otherwise people might think the service is only for tourists, not residents.
The historic occasion was met with smiles today, just as the first day of the actual service will be before long.
The service is expected to widen and develop increased frequency over time. It's not expected to affect taxis and tuk-tuks because passengers will still need to ride on from the bus stops to resorts or their homes.
In other transpost-related developments, Transport officials previewed the new king-size tuk-tuk style pickup.
The vehicles will be capably of carrying up to 12 people - about twice as many as a standard tuk-tuk - or six people with a load of luggage.
They have yet to be given the official go-ahead but some models have already been spotted on Phuket's streets.
Vice Governor Jamleran also said there was a growing problem at the new Phuket bus terminal in Thepkasattri Road because too many people left their motorcycles long-term at the terminus carpark for free.
He said a different system was needed. ''At present it's free parking with no security,'' he said. ''Motorcycles crowd the carpark and some get stolen.''
Noted for his black humor, Vice Governor Jamleran suggested it was time for the Phuket bike burner of several weeks ago to make a comeback to clear some space.
Phuket Land Transport Office specialist Jaturong Keawkasi said this afternoon that the new service will begin once the private contractor has given the buses one final maintenance check.
''It won't be long now,'' he said after a sign-off meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall at which Phuket Vice Governor Jamleran Tipayapongtada signalled that the service had his official approval to roll.
At the meeting were key Phuket officials representing all sections of business as well as police and the prosector's office.
The mesage was plain: the buses are rolling, whether Phuket's tuk-tuk and taxi drivers approve or not.
So far only the taxi and tuk-tuk drivers of Kata-Karon have opposed the low-cost hop-on, hop-off service, indicating they will stage blockades to stop the buses.
A public meeting is to be held over the extension of the service from Patong to Karon.
But for now, attention is on how soon the buses could be running, with the decision in the hands of the private contractors, OS Carrent and Tour Co., who have at least six buses ready to roll in ''Airport Express'' livery and will be aiming to paint more.
The bus stop signs revealed at the meeting were all in English and contained the easily made error of confusing 12am with 12pm.
Every day from 9am to 7.30pm the buses will roll, initially every 90 minutes. It's not known whether - as has been suggested - there will be extra security arrangements for the start of the service.
Specialist Khun Jaturong said after the meeting that someone had told him it would be necessary to put the Bus Stop signs in Thai as well as English, otherwise people might think the service is only for tourists, not residents.
The historic occasion was met with smiles today, just as the first day of the actual service will be before long.
The service is expected to widen and develop increased frequency over time. It's not expected to affect taxis and tuk-tuks because passengers will still need to ride on from the bus stops to resorts or their homes.
In other transpost-related developments, Transport officials previewed the new king-size tuk-tuk style pickup.
The vehicles will be capably of carrying up to 12 people - about twice as many as a standard tuk-tuk - or six people with a load of luggage.
They have yet to be given the official go-ahead but some models have already been spotted on Phuket's streets.
Vice Governor Jamleran also said there was a growing problem at the new Phuket bus terminal in Thepkasattri Road because too many people left their motorcycles long-term at the terminus carpark for free.
He said a different system was needed. ''At present it's free parking with no security,'' he said. ''Motorcycles crowd the carpark and some get stolen.''
Noted for his black humor, Vice Governor Jamleran suggested it was time for the Phuket bike burner of several weeks ago to make a comeback to clear some space.
will there be service from Patong to the airport? where in Patong is the drop off?
Posted by sky on June 19, 2013 18:14
Editor Comment:
Read previous articles, please. The sign does say ''To Phuket Airport.''