Bangkok: "Sanphet" is revolutionizing water transportation with the launch of "School and Taxi Boat," aiming to solve transportation problems for students and tourists. Mr. Sanphet Bunyamanee, Deputy Minister of Transport, chaired a meeting to discuss guidelines for developing pilot projects for student boats and water taxis to promote tourism, provide convenient, safe, and time-saving travel options, and alleviate land traffic congestion for the public. Mr. Kritphet Chaiyachai, Director-General of the Marine Department, also attended the meeting.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Sanphet revealed that Bangkok, in the past, was a city whose growth and development were primarily driven by waterway networks. However, due to the changing urban context, most roads leading to communities along canals are narrow, making it difficult for vehicles to pass each other. This results in traffic congestion for students and residents during rush hour, lack of mobility, poor connectivity to main mass transit systems, and an increased risk of accidents when sharing roads with cars and motorcycles. This directly impacts students and parents in terms of travel time and costs, leading to a decline in quality of life and learning effectiveness.
Therefore, the Ministry of Transport has launched two pilot projects in the Phasi Charoen Canal area and its connecting networks: 1. The School Boat project, aiming to develop a convenient, safe, economical, and sustainable water transport option, focusing on students in the area, which includes 16 educational institutions that previously used Bangkok's passenger boat service on the Phasi Charoen Canal. The plan is to refurbish and develop Bangkok's existing boat fleet to support this pilot project. 2. The Taxi Boat project, promoting tourism, offering a seamless travel option (wheel - rail - boat), starting from Bang Wa BTS station and connecting to key locations and famous tourist attractions such as Wat Pak Nam Phasi Charoen. Bangkok Yai District Office, Talat Phlu, and Khlong Bang Luang Floating Market.
Mr. Sanphet concluded by saying that the meeting would expedite a thorough study of public needs and the feasibility of the project in depth. The information will then be evaluated jointly with relevant government agencies and state enterprises. A comprehensive plan will be developed, including route planning, timetables, and safety systems, to drive this pilot project to fruition. The project will then be expanded to other canal networks in Bangkok to revitalize water-based public transportation, providing a convenient, fast, safe, and sustainable travel option in the future.