After years of talk Bangkok is building a new mass-transport system - the Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT.

It will be built in the city centre first before expanding to the outer suburbs if pilots are a success.

The Cabinet this week approved the first BRT project to be built by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA). It will be a 16.5-kilometre route from the Silom Bangkok Transit System station to Krungthep Bridge.

However, an expert warned the plan would not be a total success because of the way the BMA was implementing it.

BRTs have emerged as viable alternative mass-transit systems over the past several years because of cost.

BRT is not as fast as the Skytrain or subway but is a lot more rapid than normal public buses. BRT is much cheaper to build than the Skytrain and subway.

This makes it more attractive in many parts of the world.

BRT runs at ground level like public buses but has dedicated lanes and stops, or stations, as they will be called.

The buses are not required to stop at intersections, and passengers use electronic cards to enter and exit the stations, which are more user friendly than an average bus stop.

"BRT is very interesting. It will encourage Bangkok residents to use mass-transit systems more and personal cars less," traffic-management expert Dr Chumnong Sorapipatana said.

He works at the Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment at the King Mongkut University of Technology Thon Buri.

"Mass transit is likely the only option for Bangkok. We have to accept we cannot build enough roads for the rapidly growing demands of motorists. Roads are at their limit, and they need to be managed properly, and BRT is a most interesting type of road management," he said.

"I am not saying we no longer need more Skytrain and subway routes, but BRT should be a priority option for further mass transit. It will save a lot of money," he stressed.

Every kilometre of BRT route costs Bt100 million. Compare that with the Bt2.2 billion to Bt3.5 billion for a kilometre of subway and the Bt1.5 billion to 2.5 billion for the Skytrain, and the cost advantages are obvious.

Further savings can be made if routes take advantage of space available under expressways or along rail routes, Chumnong said.

Bangkok Deputy Governor Bannasophit Mekwichai supports Chumnong.

"It has been the policy of Governor Apirak Kosayodhin since he ran for election to build a proper mass-transit system for this city," Bannasophit said.

"The approved Silom to Krungthep Bridge project is just a pilot. It is part of one of two schemes planned by Apirak," she said.

They are the northern route from Kaset to Navamin and the southern one from Silom to Rajaphruk and Suksawasdi.

"This project will cost about Bt600 million and will carry some 40,000 people a day. BRT fares initially will not exceed current air-conditioned-bus fares," she said.

"We are planning to finish the southern route first and then move on to the northern and maybe others," she said.

Chumnong applauded the initiative but noted many improvements were required in implementation.

"BRT is somewhat difficult to understand, even for the BMA. The BMA only half understands the real concept," he said.

Chumnong explained that the heart of a BRT system was management, not construction. Its focus is more on software than hardware.

"BRT is a traffic-management system giving priority to mass-transit vehicles over private cars. Most people don't like that, so a campaign to get the people to see the benefits of BRT is vital.

"Yet the BMA has skipped this. This is the first mistake in implementing BRT," he said.

Other mistakes are in scale and time frame, he said.

The BMA is failing to integrate BRT into Bangkok's traffic-management master plan, he explained.

"BRT should not be singled out from other mass-transit systems. The BMA should have a master plan showing how BRT can integrate with the Skytrain and subway as well as the road system. We don't see this picture," he said.

Chumnong said the entire BRT system should be completed in three to five years. Failure to achieve this may affect its efficiency.

"Look at what the BMA has done. It has separated the BRT project into pieces and has no time frame for the systems. This will affect its efficiency," he added.

Chumnong understands the BMA may share his views but blames its inability to implement them on the body's own structure.

"Did you know that there are as many as 12 authorities in charge of traffic management in Bangkok? Unfortunately, the BMA has the smallest role. Bangkok is the only big capital whose governor does not have full authority in managing his own town," Chumnong said.

Bannasophit argued the BMA had consulted residents about the BRT plan and found most supported the idea.

"We are now ready to construct the project. Two companies have signed contracts for construction and consultation work. Building should be complete within nine months and ready for a three-month test run before being opened for public use," she said.

But Rama Three resident and finance worker Wannaphorn (who asked for her surname not to be used) has heard nothing. She drives to work every day.

"It sounds like a good project, but I cannot picture what it will be like. I might try it if it comes to pass. If it works, it might be one of many transport options. I might even leave my car at home if it really works and is affordable," she said.

Student Thani (who also asked for his surname not to be used) lives along one of the proposed routes. He normally uses the Skytrain.

He thought BRT was a great idea and said he would use it if fares were not too high.

Kamol Sukin

The Nation