PHUKET: Phuket has been expecting to gain a light-rail connection extending the length of the holiday island but it won't happen without private funding, a senior government minister revealed yesterday.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda told Phuket administrators and officials from neighboring Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong and Trang that the central government had no money available to fund the light rail or the Patong Tunnel that has long been proposed to like the island's capital with its west coast hub.
The minister's comment was the first clear indication in public that the answers to Phuket's public transport issues do not lie in supporting fanciful projects.
The minister was told the light rail-tram link would stretch 54 kilometres from the north of the island, south to Chalong Circle, with 20 stations along the way. It would have an average speed of 30kph, the minister heard.
Phuket's Governor, Nisit Jansomwong, said the incoming pressure of ''12 million tourists''* and constant growth in arriving numbers created excessive pressure on the island's infrastructure.
But the minister said the government didn't have the money. ''Don't wait,'' he said. ''Help yourself by seeking the funds.''
Phuketwan believes a light rail-tram link taking people anywhere at 30kph would be rejected in any case by residents who prefer motorcycles and tourists who don't want to waste time on being taken in the wrong direction.
The west coast is where most of them are headed, not Phuket City or Chalong Circle.
Phuketwan believes the immediate answers to Phuket transport can be found by adding additional lanes where possible along Thepkasattri Road and making the island a minivan-only province.
Large, slow and dangerous buses - except for those on interprovincial routes - should be phased out over three years.
*Phuketwan has seen no proof that Phuket attracts 12 million tourists a year. More than 12 million people will pass through Phuket airport this year - but that's the total for arrivals and departures. Banks encourage use of exaggerated figures to attract investors.
Interior Minister Anupong Paojinda told Phuket administrators and officials from neighboring Phang Nga, Krabi, Ranong and Trang that the central government had no money available to fund the light rail or the Patong Tunnel that has long been proposed to like the island's capital with its west coast hub.
The minister's comment was the first clear indication in public that the answers to Phuket's public transport issues do not lie in supporting fanciful projects.
The minister was told the light rail-tram link would stretch 54 kilometres from the north of the island, south to Chalong Circle, with 20 stations along the way. It would have an average speed of 30kph, the minister heard.
Phuket's Governor, Nisit Jansomwong, said the incoming pressure of ''12 million tourists''* and constant growth in arriving numbers created excessive pressure on the island's infrastructure.
But the minister said the government didn't have the money. ''Don't wait,'' he said. ''Help yourself by seeking the funds.''
Phuketwan believes a light rail-tram link taking people anywhere at 30kph would be rejected in any case by residents who prefer motorcycles and tourists who don't want to waste time on being taken in the wrong direction.
The west coast is where most of them are headed, not Phuket City or Chalong Circle.
Phuketwan believes the immediate answers to Phuket transport can be found by adding additional lanes where possible along Thepkasattri Road and making the island a minivan-only province.
Large, slow and dangerous buses - except for those on interprovincial routes - should be phased out over three years.
*Phuketwan has seen no proof that Phuket attracts 12 million tourists a year. More than 12 million people will pass through Phuket airport this year - but that's the total for arrivals and departures. Banks encourage use of exaggerated figures to attract investors.
I am happy for this!
The light Tram will not be practical and therefor will not work.
The Tunnel will be a death Trap!
What we need is proper public transport, fair priced metered Taxi's, get rid of those green plate taxi's, proper planning for parking, ongoing and sustainable traffic law enforcement, get rid of the cars which are not road worthy and develop needed new roads (Kamala to Kathu over the hill, Chalong to Patong etc) etc.
Posted by Mr. K on September 12, 2015 10:48