Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat presided over the opening ceremony at the launch event yesterday, joined by Atcha Buachan, Chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO).
Also present were Waithat Upatising, Executive Director of Phuket City Development Co Ltd (PKCD) and PKCD’s Administrative Coordinator Suphakit Thirarangsikul, along with Phuket Smart Bus General Manager Natthakanya Namphrai.
Phuket Smart Bus Co Ltd is one of the ventures launched by PKCD, which acts as the umbrella consortium of companies launched and operated by the local families with the focus on improving Phuket.
PKCD, through Phuket Smart Bus, joined with the Sustainable Tourism Development Foundation together to launch a free air-conditioned electric bus service in Phuket Town earlier this year.
Phuket Smart Bus has long operated the only bus services from the airport and down Phuket’s west coast all the way to Rawai.
Phuket Governor Mr Sophon yesterday said the new Phuket Town - Patong service aims to benefit both locals and tourists by offering convenient and eco-friendly transportation, while also easing traffic congestion and reducing pollution.
The new electric bus (EV) route will run through key areas of Phuket, including Samkong, Kathu and Patong, covering important locations such as schools, hospitals, markets and popular tourist spots like Patong Beach.
The service will operate daily from 6am to 8pm, with buses running every hour.
“Phuket Smart Bus has brought six electric buses into service, which are environmentally friendly and help reduce air pollution,” Governor Sophon said.
“This new route is expected to help students travel to school more conveniently and help alleviate traffic problems in the morning and evening.
“The drivers are well-trained and there are eight exits in total: one exit door, one emergency door, and six emergency exit glass hammers,” he added.
The route includes 16 bus stops:
- Phuket Bus Terminal 1
- Sanam Chai
- Satree Phuket School
- Phuket Wittayalai School
- Vachira Phuket Hospital
- Bangkok Hospital Phuket
- Chillva Market
- Lotus Samkong
- Andamanda Water Park
- Kathu Fresh Market
- PTT Kathu
- Si Kor
- Kathu Police Station
- Makro Nanai
- Malin Plaza
- Patong Beach