The owner of No . 7 buses yesterday ready a letter calling on the government to waive its 1 . 4-billion-baht debt and have the Department of Land Transport (DLT) renew its contract.
Thiraporn Methisariyapong, manager at Thai Bus Transport, said her company, which runs No . almost eight buses, will document the letter to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob.
She said the company has not been able to renew the operations permit with the DLT.
She said her company was given a valid operations enable by the DLT valid from Sept one, 2016–Oct 31 the coming year.
Within 2019, the DLT initiated a bus route reform plan, prompting bus providers to reapply for the permit.
However , Ms Thiraporn said after doing this, the DLT told her that Thai Coach Transport did not fulfill standard requirements and was not granted a permit.
She said this wounderful woman has tried to get an explanation from the DLT on the matter and even requested another permit but it has been putting off the request.
Ms Thiraporn mentioned her company follows every standard necessity set by the DLT.
The company also offered to replace old buses with 25 air-conditioned vehicles within 180 times after a permit is certainly granted, she stated, adding all non-AC vehicles would be changed in two years.
Non-AC buses are being phased out under Bangkok Mass Transit Authority’s bus assistance reform plan.
Ms Thiraporn indicated that the govt should waive the company’s 1 . 4-billion-baht debt to the BMTA so it can solve its financial problems.
“Bus operators have never been subsidised by the government, ” she said. “For 10 years we have endured economic downfall and disasters that affected our business. ”
“Now the [coronavirus] pandemic has [negatively impacted the business], ” Ms Thiraporn said.