Free buses run to mixed reviews

Dissatisfaction with the government's populist campaign has surfaced on the Traffic Pro radio programme, which has taken 6,916 calls about bad experiences on 73 routes.

Of 989 people who called in on August 13, 860 said they were happy with the free rides and the speed of the service. Every other bus on the 73 routes is free; the others collect fares as usual.

Traffic Pro producer Jaitana Sriwangphol said that on August 47 5,927 people had called in to complain that they waited around 30 minutes for a free bus and that when one came it was packed.

Other issues involved dangerous driving and the risk of groping, pickpockets and fights between rival vocational students.

Many nonetheless praised the free service, with 4,973 saying it was a saving and encouraged motorists to use public transport, cutting pollution and easing global warming.