Residents of Chiang Mai and visitors to this northern city may soon get relief from the worsening traffic congestion, if the city gets the go-ahead for a Bt7-billion mass-transit system.

A public hearing on the proposed project will take place later this month and if given the green light, the 40km bus rapid transit system could be operational in the next two years.

Called the Chiang Mai Mass Transit System (CTS), the plan proposes four lines of rapid bus service with dedicated traffic lanes.

The system will cover a total of 150 square kilometres of the central and densely populated areas of Chiang Mai.

Dr Rangsun Udomsri of Chiang Mai University, who heads the feasibility study team, said the project would greatly increase the quality of life in this city of more than a million residents and tourists.

"The system will run across the inner city from north to south and from east to west. It's basically inside the Chiang Mai ancient wall. There will be a total of 70 bus stops.

"With each ticket, estimated to cost Bt15, you could start the journey at any of the 70 stops. When operational, the system will change the city's landscape and traffic flow for the better," he said.

"People will greatly benefit from the new mass-transit service. They can park private vehicles and motorbikes at places around the network and commute more conveniently and efficiently," he said, adding, "Less private vehicle traffic and congestion also means less pollution," he said.

Unless the city authority moves quickly to implement the project, Chiang Mai runs the risk of a traffic gridlock due to the relentless rise in the number of private vehicles and motorcycles, now totalling about 500,000.

This number will likely double to a million in the next decade, Rangsun warns. He said that residents and visitors currently made an average 1.8 million commutes per day, with 91 per cent of them using private vehicles.

Rungsan estimates that about 30 per cent of residents and tourists will switch to the mass transit, up from five per cent at present.

"It sounds great. It should turn Chiang Mai into my dream town. More people would also bike to the stops and take the mass transit," Nirandorn Phothikarnond, president of the Sunday Biking Club.

Junaphong Saranark, a Chiang Mai tourism official, said tourists would not only have a better choice of public transport but could also get round the city as well as commute to nearby districts like San Kamphaeng and Hang Dong at a lesser cost.

 Narong Tananuwat, president of the city's Chamber of Commerce, said the project would help boost Chiang Mai's economy while protecting the environment and cultural heritage.

Narong said the city would likely opt for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system, using 18-metre-long public buses running inside dedicated traffic lanes.

"Building skytrain and subway systems is a lot more expensive than the BRT. The skytrain is also not good for a tourist city like Chiang Mai, while a subway could face hurdles in construction as we have lots of underground cultural and ancient sites around the town," he said.

Next week, the city will hold its first public hearing on the project. Another session is scheduled for May 15.

When the feasibility study by CMU's Faculty of Engineers is completed later this year, the project will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval.

According to Narong, public participation in the scheme will be the key to its success. Authorities are expecting opposition to the project from large numbers of taxi minibus operators whose businesses would be affected.

Songthaew operators have monopolised public transport in this town for decades.

Narong said songthaew operators and drivers should be offered an opportunity to be part of the new mass-transit system so as to help guarantee their income.

These converted pickup trucks could provide the feeder service for the mass transit.

After the initial 40km system is completed, the city also plans a second phase of development to cover six surrounding districts of Chiang Mai.

At this stage, it is still unclear which local authority will be in charge of operating the planned mass transit.

The Provincial Administrative Organisation has the jurisdiction, but it may lack experience in running a system of this scale so an alternative is to set up a special organisation to oversee the system.

The CTS scheme was approved in principle by the Cabinet several years ago, but the funding details have never been finalised.

"The central government should invest in the CTS as it is a public infrastructure project, and should be operated either by a special agency or by the private sector. The CTS would not be economically feasible without government financial support," Narong said.

Boonlert Buranuprakorn, the Chiang Mai mayor, said he remained optimistic the central government would continue to support the project.

"Even though the political situation is fluid, I believe the government will eventually give the green light since Chiang Mai is a major city and a tourism magnet," Boonlert said.

 Narong added that the project was a major challenge for Chiang Mai in terms of sustainable development and, if the project succeeded in the city, it could inspire other big cities to follow suit.