Bangkok:Sakoltee Phatthiyakul, a list-based Member of Parliament from the Democrat Party, has raised concerns at the Parliament building regarding two pressing issues that require immediate intervention by the Ministry of Transport. The issues include the need to reclaim bus route 189 to aid 60,000 residents in Samut Sakhon and addressing the prolonged construction of the Vibhavadi canal, which is currently posing a safety risk.
According to Thai News Agency, Sakoltee highlighted during the House of Representatives meeting that the Democrat Party has been receiving numerous complaints from the public related to transportation challenges. These challenges include a bus shortage crisis affecting over 60,000 people in the Krathum Baen - Om Noi area due to the cessation of operations of the original Route 85 bus (Bangkok - Samut Sakhon). The BMTA Route 189 has been approved but remains non-operational, leaving residents dependent on local minibuses that only run until around 700 PM, thus causing significant inconvenience for nighttime travelers.
Sakoltee urged the Ministry of Transport, the Department of Land Transport, and Samut Sakhon Province to take prompt action. He recommended checking the concession and license status of bus route 189 to ensure compliance with operational conditions and considering improvements or expansions on existing routes. This includes extending evening bus service hours and implementing urgent measures to alleviate public hardship while permanent routes are established.
In addition, Sakoltee addressed the issues surrounding the construction of a drainage ditch on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. He presented evidence showing that the project, which spans from Lat Phrao Intersection to the area in front of Thai Airways headquarters, has been poorly managed and poses significant safety risks. He cited problems such as the absence of adequate safety barriers and lighting, which endanger motorcycles and pedestrians, as well as severe traffic congestion resulting from the construction encroaching on road surfaces.
The project, initially set to be completed by 2021-2022, has faced delays, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sakoltee emphasized the need for the Ministry of Transport to ensure that the contractor adheres to safety standards and reopens the road surface for public use without further delay.