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Published on September 4, 2007

State enterprise Trans-port Co's newly appointed president Wutthichart Kalayanamitr vows that under his leadership the company's revenue will reach Bt2 billion with a net profit of Bt500 million in the next fiscal year.

In the fiscal year ending this month, net profit is expected to be Bt300 million.

Transport Co will restructure its operations to reduce costs. It will develop its information technology to set up an online booking system, due for completion next April.

The company also plans to adjust money-losing bus routes linking Bangkok with Samut Songkhram, Nakhon Nayok and Nakhon Pathom. More buses will also be fuelled by natural gas for vehicles next year.

The company will also work with police in busting people who sell tickets on the black market around bus stations.

Wutthichart, who a cousin of General Saprang Kalayanamitr, said the company would also review the concessions of private bus firms whose security standards are below standard.

"We will discuss security standards and equipment with private firms next week as part of upgrading the bus service and reducing accidents on the road," he said.

Transport Co will reduce the average age of its buses from eight years to five under its safety drive.

According to its business plan, the company will generate revenue of up to Bt2 billion and a net profit of Bt500 million in the next fiscal year, Wutthichart said.

In the first eight months of this year, the company generated Bt286 million in net profit, due mainly to the increase of cargo and postal services as well as cost-cutting and expansion of ticketing outlets.

Suchinda Cherdchai, chairman of the Bus Operators' Association, said the association would propose an increase in bus fares of three satang per kilometre this month to Transport Co and the Transport Ministry.

She said members, who provide services on 300 routes nationwide, had been experiencing losses since the hike in diesel prices.

She added that private bus operators would also ask permission to reduce the number of trips on each route to match the number of passengers, which has been falling in line with economic conditions.

With low-cost airlines offering tickets at prices close to bus fares, many travellers have changed their mode of transport, Suchinda said.

Watcharapong Thongrung

 The Nation