The terms of reference for the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority’s (BMTA) plan to supply over 3,000 buses powered by diesel, natural gas, and other alternative fuels was recently signed off on by the Economic Screening Committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Kittiratt Na-Ranong. The estimated cost for the supply plan is currently around THB13.16 billion.
Deputy PM Kittiratt expressed his hope that the plan will help boost domestic demand for ethanol and, by extension, benefit local ethanol producers.
The Transport Ministry is working with various state agencies to agree on the exact number of buses to be powered by the various fuel types. In the instance that alternative fuel costs exceed those of more conventional sources, the Deputy PM said the government would step in to cover the difference in cost.
As reported in Nation, he hopes to see the plan forwarded to the Cabinet for approval in April.
