The Cabinet yesterday approved the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's plan to build a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route between Chong Nonsi and Bangkok Bridge. The route will stretch over 16.5 kilometres.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalap said yesterday the BRT project would serve as another traffic solution for Bangkok because it would be a fast, efficient, low-cost and safe transportation system.

"The BRT will have a lane

of its own and it can move past intersections without having to wait for a green light," he said.

Yongyuth said it was cheaper to build and operate a BRT route than an electric-train route.

"Also, the BRT is environmentally friendly," he said.

Deputy government spokeswoman Netpreeya Chumchaiyo said another advantage of the BRT was that its equipment and infrastructure could be relocated for use at another spot.

"If the number of passengers on the BRT route grows and exceeds its capacity, we can build an electric-train project as a replacement and relocate the BRT for use elsewhere," she explained.

The BMA initially planned to build two BRT routes.

However, its planned route between Kaset-Navamin Road and Mor Chit Bus Terminal I did not get approval from the Cabinet yesterday.

Yongyuth said this route needed further review because a

portion of its 19.5-kilometre length would be on Phaholyothin Road.

"There is heavy traffic on this road and if it has to give up one of its traffic lanes to the BRT, there could be severe congestion. So we believe this BRT planned route should be suspended for the time being," he said.

The BMA had earlier planned to operate the BRT jointly with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).

However, the BMA has decided to undertake the project alone because the BMTA is in the process of restructuring its organisation and reviewing its bus routes and is not ready to immediately implement the BRT project.

Since Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin came to power in 2004, he has highlighted the BRT project as his key approach to tackling the capital's traffic crisis.

He initially hoped to launch the first BRT route by 2005, but the project was delayed largely by a lack of support from the Thaksin government, which may have had political reasons for not endorsing the scheme.