The Ministry of Transport is preparing for an April strike by public transport van drivers. The drivers are unhappy with new rulings that they feel work against them and have caused a drop in their business.
These new rules include: installed GPS to track speeding and driver breaks, shorter driving shifts, moving van operations to the outskirts of the city from more central locations such as Victory Monument, and reducing capacity from 18 to 13 seats. The safety measures were meant to be put into effect by Songkran to ensure safe travel during the holiday period.
The government says these measures are to increase safety and efficiency for the public but the drivers are not pleased and have announced that they plan to strike on Saturday, April 1.
Back in October, the drivers announced a steep drop in the number of passengers traveling in their vans. This came after they were forced to relocate their pick up/drop off area to Mochit 2 Terminal from Victory Monument, making it harder for passengers to reach them. Mochit 2 is five kilometers, or 15 minutes by car, from BTS Mochit.
Minister of Transport Arkom Termpittayapaisit responded to announcements by the Interprovincial Transport Van Association that it will suspend operations in protest of its drivers having their licenses seized for failing to comply with the new rules. He said he has a plan to handle the situation if the drivers strike, reported Thai News Bureau.
Safety measures or not, we just hope that we never have to see someone do this with their butt on a public van.
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