Phuket launches electric buses for Vegetarian Festival travel
Phuket has introduced electric buses to improve travel during the annual Vegetarian Festival and support its clean-energy transport plans.
Phuket Province and the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organization have launched electric public buses to provide additional transport options for residents and visitors during the annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival.
Governor Chotnarin Kerdsom, Deputy Governor Suwit Phansengiam, PPAO President Rewat Areerob and Phuket Transport Chief Atcha Buachan attended the launch ceremony outside Phuket Provincial Hall.
The initiative is part of Phuket’s plan to modernise public transport, reduce pollution and develop the province as a Green City and Smart City. Areerob said the PPAO wanted a transport system based on clean energy and smart technology that would meet the needs of residents and visitors.
The network currently includes six intra-district routes served by 28 electric buses between Phuket Town and Patong. A further 19 electric buses operate on 13 inter-district routes within a wider fleet of 226 vehicles, according to the PPAO.
Services connect Phuket Town with Phuket International Airport, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Kamala and other major tourist destinations. Passengers can use the Phuket Bus mobile application to check routes, stops, estimated arrival times, fares and operator contact details. The application is available in Thai, English, Russian and Chinese.
The PPAO said Phuket’s public transport network covers approximately 99% of the province. The electric-bus expansion forms part of its longer-term effort to reduce emissions and improve public transport.
