IMPLEMENTATION OF SMALL SCALE BUS MANAGEMENT AND OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THAILAND'S REGIONAL CITIES

This paper examines the scope for route associations to improve bus route management and service levels in the provinces of Thailand. In particular, the scope for, and circumstances under which, any individual owners and drivers will develop cooperative mechanisms to provide improved levels of service for the benefit of the public are examined. Case studies in two important regional cities in Thailand are presented. These cities are Hat Yai, in the south, and Phitsanulok in the lower northern part of Thailand. From the experiences in these cities, route association concepts and associated improvements are concluded to offer potential for widespread replication in Thailand particularly in the case of transport operations in low demand areas. The following matters are concluded to be fundamental to the success of the concept: leadership, appropriate driver remuneration mechanisms and a suitably structured penalty which could be imposed by Government as a matter of last resort. In order to assist implementation in areas which may have differing characteristics the authors have identified a number of guidelines which should be considered. (A) For the covering abstract of the seminar see IRRD 860989.