Victory Monument van ban makes trips longer and more expensive, say passengers

Yesterday was the first day of passenger van ban next to the landmark, which was a major transport hub for vans travelling from Bangkok to other provinces. 
The government has ordered vans operating on routes from Bangkok to destinations outside the city to move to bus terminals to ease traffic congestion in the area. A free shuttle bus service to bus terminals has been provided while Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)’s vans running within the city are still available.
But many passengers travelling to other provinces yesterday said they were left confused and inconvenienced by the change.
One 41-year-old passenger said his usual travel route to Chon Buri had been drastically altered, which made his journey more expensive.
“Now I have to go to Bang Na district for an interchange to Chon Buri. The ban has affected me very much, as I have to spend more time and money to reach my destination. I used to spend Bt140 to reach Chon Buri, but from now it will be up to Bt200,” he said.
Ploy Rawiwan, a student at Burapha University, said she had to change buses more often, with her journey to university taking an additional two hours and costing more.
“Today I left home at 5am, but by 8am I still had not reached the university. It was a long and very tiring journey. I am very upset by the van passenger ban at Victory Monument as this policy affects many people,” Ploy said.
A 62-year-old passenger, who was heading home to Amphur Damnoen Saduak in Ratchaburi province, said: “I am so confused that I have no idea how to go there. The ban makes my trip more complicated.” 
A migrant worker, 35, from Sathon said he usually took a van from the Victory Monument to Hua Hin, but those vans now had been moved to Mo Chit 2 Bus Terminal, making him spend much more time on the road.
Frequent van passenger Paralee Leksakorn said she experienced a big delay in her journey to Samut Songkhram yesterday morning as she had to take a van from Mo Chit Bus Terminal instead of Victory Monument and wait in a long queue.
“I live in Ayutthaya and have to work in Samut Songkhram. From my home, I can get to Victory Monument in the same time as from Mo Chit Bus Terminal, but today there was a very long queue and my journey was delayed by two hours,” Paralee said.
BMTA public relations officer Booncherd Phochana said passengers heading to the Northern, Northeastern and Central provinces would now have to get vans in the Chatuchak (Mo Chit 2) bus terminal. Those heading to Eastern provinces have to go to Ekkamai bus terminal, and vans heading to Southern and Western provinces will be stationed in the Southern bus terminal on Boromarajonani Road.
Booncherd said the changes had been made in line with government policy to address the chronic traffic problem at the Victory Monument.
In order to relieve the inconvenience to passengers, BMTA bus operation assistant director Chamnan Yoosaard said they were providing free air-conditioned shuttle buses connecting Victory Monument to the various bus terminals.
Free buses to the Southern and Mo Chit terminals will be stationed in the Phahol Yothin Zone, while buses to Ekkamai terminal would pick up passengers in the Din Daeng Zone. All buses are available every 20 to 30 minutes from 5am to 8.30pm.