PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES * Thailand - The Bangkok Buses of Thaphra

Bangkok,Thailand -Thai Mass Transport Systems, by njhis1 -11 Oct 2008: -- This is a shot of a Route 89: Bangkok Rajamangala Institute of Technology – Taling Chan Bus. Traveling towards Taling Chan. Bus number 89 – 9. Bus type Non aircon Hino. This service operates from 5am to 11pm operates every 5 to 10 mins... This is an image of a Route 205: Customs Department (Klong Toei) – Tha Phra Bus. BMTA bus number 4 – 80072. Bus type non aircon Mitsubishi. This service operates from 4.30am to 11.20pm operates every 2 to 5 mins. Note this bus is a free service...This is a shot of a Route 205 bus. Traveling towards Tha Phra. BMTA bus number 4 – 45124. Bus type Aircon Hino. Between 6am and 9am and 4pm and 7pm rapid buses operate using the aircon buses every 2 to 5 mins in addition to the normal service. These buses use all 5 Rama 3 road flyover bridges to provide a faster service...This is a shot of a Route 504: Rangsit to Thanon Tok bus. Traveling towards Thanon Tok terminus. Bus number 504 – 3. This service is operated by premium management and appears to be a new route as the old route is via Charoen Krung road. Bus type Golden Dragon. This service appears to operate every 10 mins... This is an image of a Route 22: Sathu Pradit to Lat Phrao 101 bus traveling towards Lat Phrao 101 Bus number 8 – 6739. Bus type Merc O305. This service operates every 5 to 10 mins and is a 24 hour service...The Buses of Tha Phra.This next set of images where taken in the area in front of the Mall Tha Pra. This area is where the last BRT station meant to be built. However due to issues mentioned at the start it has been delayed due to its detrimental effects on traffic in the area. This area has crawling 5 to 10 kph traffic in at least one direction from 6am to 11pm 7 days a week. These images where taken on a Sunday afternoon when the traffic its lightest inbound but was jammed outbound.The bus services in this area are already at capacity and operate when the traffic allows every 30 seconds on a number of separate routes. Making the traffic worse is the addition of 4 new 30 plus storey condo projects close to the already very busy Mall Tha Phra. These building will be built with zero consideration for the infrastructure issues of the area... This is a shot of a Route 147: Rama 2 – Bang Khae – Tha Pra – Dao Khanong bus. Bus number 147 – 58. Bus type Unknown. The bus was stuck in the massive outbound jam opposite the Mall Thaphra...This is another angle on the very pink Route 147 bus. This bus has recently undergone a major refurbishment with new seats new paint job and a conversion to NGV. Buts it’s still got crappy old windows and doors plus no aircon and the choice of colour leave a lot to be desired...This is an image of a Route 57: Thonburi – Southern Bus Terminal Loop bus. Bus number 21 – 215. Bus type Unknown. The route of this bus is very complex and indirect as it appears to be made up of parts of other routes. It even provides train replacement service between Wong Wien Yai and Klong San...This is an image of a Route 68: Mahachai city – Banglamphu bus. Bus number 68 – 22. Bus type Merc O 305. This bus has been converted to NGV...This is a shot of a Route 547: Mahadol University (Salaya) to Victory Monument bus. Bus number 547 – 10. Bus type Merc O 305. This service travels via an indirect route...This is a shot of a Route 101: Rama 2 (Bang Mod) – Wat Muang bus. BMTA bus number 6 – 50107. Bus type Isuzu. Note this is a free bus service...This is a picture of a Route 205: Thaphra – Customs Department (Klong Toei) Bus. BMTA bus number 4 – 44086. Bus type Aircon Hino...This is a shot of an unrefurbished Route 147 bus. Bus number 147 – 47. Bus type Unknown...This is an image of a Route 193: Rama 2 - Kanlapaphruek – Tha Phra – Dao Khanong loop bus. BMTA bus number 6 – 30315. Bus type Merc O 405. This is a new service that started in September and fills in a previous transport black hole on Kanlapaphruek road...This is a shot of a Route 68: Samae Dum – Banglamphu bus. BMTA bus number 5 – 30378. Bus type Merc O 405...Now for something different a Route 1402: Bang Bon – Bang Khae bus. Bus number 1402 – 60. Bus type unknown. Note how the bus doors have long since gone missing. This route is a minor route and provides an important alternative route to Bang Khae. Taken as it was doing a U – turn at Bang Bon SRT station...I hope you find the pictures and vehicles shown to be of interest if you view this please post some comments and feelings about the pictures...