The Transport Ministry has a plan to build a new bus terminal to replace Mor Chit 2, which was intended for temporary use, Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit told parliament on the second day of the 2024 fiscal year budget bill debate.
The new terminal will be located on a site which is yet to be determined, where a high-rise building will be constructed, to accommodate buses and offices, connected to the Bang Sue train station or electric train stations either via a tunnel or covered walkway.
He also said that there will be no garage at the new terminal, which means that no buses will be allowed to park at the terminal for long periods, but will have set schedules to arrive at the terminal to pick up and drop off passengers to minimise congestion at the terminal.
Suriya cited the example of the bus terminal in Tokyo, which is linked to the Tokyo MRT, adding that the Tokyo bus terminal will be used as a model in developing the terminal in Bangkok.
He admitted, however, that the conceptual new bus terminal would be very costly, noting that the land itself may cost up to 7 billion baht, but he believes that the state-run Transport Company has sufficient assets and funds for the implementation of the project, without additional government funding.
Meanwhile, the transport minister said he has instructed Transport Company to hire a consultant company to improve the facilities at the Mor Chit 2 terminal, which is becoming increasingly congested, especially during long holidays.
Some of the improvements, such as lighting systems, cleaner toilets and the removal of rented shop houses, can be completed before the long Songkran holidays, he said.
