Thailand plans to modernize Bangkok’s public transport system by replacing aging diesel buses with 1,520 electric models by next year, as part of a broader effort to cut emissions and reduce operating costs, according to a government report.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the city’s state-owned bus operator, intends to lease the electric buses with a budget of 15.36 billion baht ($433 million), Thai business daily Prachachat Business reported. The move marks the first phase of an electrification push that could see BMTA expand its zero-emission fleet to 3,390 buses in the coming years.
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BMTA expects to deploy the first 500 units by August, with a second batch arriving by year-end. The full transition is scheduled for completion by 2026. The agency plans to lease the buses for seven years, from 2025 to 2032, with the bidding process for the initial phase expected to conclude in April.
The shift to electric buses is expected to reduce fuel and maintenance costs by up to 70%, aiding BMTA’s efforts to recover from financial difficulties. The operator has accumulated over 100 million baht ($2.8 million) in debt. “By transitioning to electric buses, we aim to enhance passenger comfort while achieving significant cost savings,” BMTA said in a statement.
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Beyond economic benefits, the government hopes the initiative will alleviate Bangkok’s worsening air pollution, largely attributed to vehicle emissions. Last month, authorities temporarily closed 352 schools and introduced free metro and bus services in response to deteriorating air quality, government-run NBT Connext reported.