Catch that train!

After a meeting yesterday with Democrat MPs Kowit Tharana, Chanin Rungsaeng, Jermmas Juen-glertsiri, Attawit Suwan-pakdee and Orn-anong Klainok, Bangkok Gover-nor MR Sukhumbhand Paripatra said the group supported the city in its bid to take over the Skytrain's future Baring-Samut Pra-kan and Morchit-Saphan Mai extensions rather than leave them in the hands of the Mass Rapid Transit Authority.

"If the city takes care of the green line, the benefits to the public will be maximised because the fares will not be too expensive," said Sukhumbhand.

Bus route row

He also confirmed that City Hall had not asked to take control of the Transport Ministry's controversial NGV bus-leasing scheme but had said it was ready to take care of it.

If the ministry proceeded with the plan, said Sukhumbhand, the city wanted the bus routes to be set according to the public's needs. "I'm concerned about creating maximum benefit for the users, because no agency knows Bangkok as well as us," he said.