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On the surface, the 4,000 NGV bus-leasing deal fiasco is viewed as the thorny part of the relationship between two main coalition parties - Democrat and Bhum Jai Thai. The conflict is temporary, though, and problems at the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) are graver. The Democrat-led government should seize this opportunity to revamp the loss-making agency.

As indicated by its name, BMTA is responsible for public bus services in Greater Bangkok. But as indicated by public responses, the services are way below the level that could satisfy the residents.

The agency's officials point fingers at the overall traffic problems and financial shortages, but there is no guarantee the service quality will improve to any extent with the injection of more finance.

Problems at BMTA have accumulated, thanks largely to politicians' ignorance. Unlike in other metropolises, Bangkok buses are not recommended for tourists, largely due to their poor condition and reports of accidents involving the buses operated by BMTA or contractors. Even local people avoid the service if they can afford a car, first or second-hand, or afford a taxi ride. This leads to the fast growing number of vehicles in the city, which only worsens the traffic congestion.

As a start to end this chaos, the proposal that the BMTA be supervised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration should receive public support.

The proposal sparks doubts of possible conflict of interest as it comes when the Democrats are leading the coalition government and the BMA governor represents the party. If the transfer is executed in a transparent manner, the issue should be overlooked for the greater public benefit.

In any metropolis, bus services are supervised by local governments, for convenience in traffic management and for the benefit of residents. The local governments know better which part of the city needs more bus services and which needs less. In close consultation with the Traffic and Transport Policy and Planning Office, the BMA should be in a better position in overhauling the bus servicing system. In many cities where buses are the only possible means of transportation to low-income earners, bus routes are cut short to avoid congestion. The short routes allow better bus frequency, which should satisfy Bangkok passengers, who occasionally need to wait 10 minutes or more for their preferred bus.

With Bangkok's participation in the routing arrangement, the national government would be spared from petty problems and could focus attention on other issues of greater importance.

Last, but not the least, it would be more sensible for the local government to finance the subsidies as the services cater mainly to residents in the vicinity. Though the subsidies could partly come from the national budget, six million Bangkok voters are ready to monitor how the Bangkok governor is utilising the funds.

With direct pressure from voters who demand better quality of service, Bangkok is also in a better position to administer changes to the management of the BMTA as well as a number of bus cartels which involve a number of interests.

Importantly, if the BMA is serious in taking public bus services under its control, it should express readiness to address the accumulated losses of the bus agency. Leaving the losses to the government and taking over only the good part would only defer the financial burden to taxpayers as a whole.

However, the transfer must be administered by the national government, which is also required to come up with the overall restructuring plan for the bus agency.

BMA should be included in the process of drafting the overhaul plan. While the accumulated losses of nearly Bt60 billion must be addressed, there should be a clear structure of revenue sharing between the local and national governments when the bus agency no longer needs subsidies.

There is another choice for the government if the BMA does not agree to all these conditions. The size of the BMTA should be frozen for downsizing in the future, given its lack of flexibility to adapt to changes. The NGV bus project must be proceeded with and operated under a separate concession. A facility should be established to encourage the transfer of BMTA employees to the concessionaire.

The NGV bus project will indeed benefit the city. However, all parties must ensure that it is carried out in a transparent manner, or it would only add up to the problems of the bus agency, the national coffers, and commuters as a whole.