BMTA drops plan to get bus commuters to ‘check in’ and ‘check out’
Bangkok commuters will not have to “check-in” on the ThaiChana platform before they board buses from Thursday (June 11) after many people complained that this measure was impossible to practice, especially during rush hour.
It is also dangerous hunting for the phone or trying to scan the QR code on a running bus, many netizens said.
Surachai Iamwachirasakul, director of Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), said on Thursday that his organisation will no longer ask people to check-in, but said maintaining social distancing was necessary. As of now, buses can only take on 10 passengers once all seats are filled.
Surachai had initially announced on Wednesday that passengers should scan the ThaiChana QR code when getting on and off buses.
“BMTA has installed QR code stickers in several places on the bus, including the front, the windows, the back and behind every seat,” he added.
The government launched the ThaiChana (Thai Victory) contact-tracing platform on May 17, requiring people to scan QR codes to check in and out of venues. The aim of the app is to help trace people in the event of new Covid-19 cases.