'Special express' city bus trial gets mixed reviews - Bangkok Post

A special express bus on a trial run on Monday, No2-2 Pak Kret Pier-Si Phraya Pier, passes puzzled commuters waiting at a bus stop. (screenshot Bangkokbusclub Cafe Facebook) The trial run of new express bus services with limited stops was plagued by poor communication on Monday, with many Bangkok commuters left wondering why buses were passing them by without stopping.

They took to social media on Monday morning, sharing their experiences, with many expressing dissatisfaction with the project, launched by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) to “improve convenience and speed up journeys during rush hours”.

The express buses operated on 24 routes across Bangkok and in surrounding provinces, using both air-conditioned and hot-air buses.

It is aimed at shortening journey times, with buses dropping and collecting passengers only at designated major stops, instead of at every stop along the route. Normal fares apply.

Buses taking part in the trial carry signs reading “Express Bus” on their front windscreen and sides, to help passengers identify them.

Some commuters said the BMTA should have advertised it more widely in advance. Many commuters were unaware a new service was being trialled and had not checked the routes or designated stops before setting out.

Others questioned the decision to introduce selective stops using an already limited number of regular buses, saying it was unsuited to Bangkok’s public transport system.

“City buses should serve as feeder services, providing widespread connections and distributing passengers across communities, particularly residential areas,” Facebook user Korakot Phupaiboon commented on the BMTA’s Facebook page.

“Many bus stops serve schools and residential neighbourhoods, where commuters already face long waiting times. Having buses pass without stopping only adds to their difficulties,” the user said.

Under the trial schedule, morning express services depart from their starting terminals at 6am, 7am and 8am, while buses departing from the other end of the route leave at 7am, 8am and 9am.

During the evening rush, buses leave their starting terminals at 4pm, 5pm and 6pm, with return trips departing at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm.

The BMTA has also opened a website channel for passengers to submit formal feedback on the trial. However, it has not specified how long the trial will run.