Confusion reigns on first day of new bus system
PASSENGERS appeared to be confused and reluctant to use the new colour-coded buses yesterday – the first day the fleet operated along eight new routes in Greater Bangkok.
The Nation found that people who did take advantage of the new buses admitted they were baffled by the system, which is undergoing a one-month trial period.
The new buses feature more colours than have been used in the past in Bangkok and adjacent provinces. The buses also use English lettering for route numbers, which puzzled many residents, particularly the elderly.
In a small survey yesterday, The Nation found that public buses with the traditional “old style” numbering system were crowded. On the new Y61 route, however, only seven passengers occupied seats on its route from Setthakit Village to Mor Chit 2 Bus Terminal.
The new buses also offered infrequent services as there were only five buses running on each route during the test period, meaning long waits for passengers.
A Nation reporter had to wait for almost 15 minutes to take the Y61 bus from the point of origin at Sanam Luang, and only seven other passengers boarded along the way.
Passenger Sujira Sripetch, 34, said she was confused about the bus colours and new numbers at first, but she decided to get on when she heard the conductor shout that the bus would pass her destination at Victory Monument.
“I felt unsure at first before taking this bus, because the number and appearance is new to me, but then I decided to take a ride,” Sujira said.
The new bus lines still rely on the old red-and-cream coloured Bangkok Mass Transit Authority buses with their fronts painted the colour of their new zone. On the Y61 line, the buses are painted yellow.
Another passenger Somporn, 73, said the new bus numbers were hard to remember, especially for the elderly.
“The bus number is too long and uses the English alphabet. I understand that it will be easier for foreigners, but how about Thai people who do not understand English? It will be difficult for them to understand,” Somporn said.
Bus conductor Wanna Tangdaeng said there had been few passengers on the new route all day and she had to shout at every bus stop to inform people about the destination.
“This is just the first day, so it is normal that the passenger number was low. I also found that some passengers took the wrong bus, but I’m sure that after time there will be more passengers on the new route,” Wanna said.
