The highly awaited Bus Rapid Transit system has not had smooth riding since its Saturday debut, with trips slowed by vehicles encroaching on its lane and drivers stopping too long at platforms.
The buses encountered heavy traffic in Bangkok's Tha Phra area.
Since yesterday was the first day of school, the Rama III-Narathiwat-Ratchapreuk roads were so jammed up that vehicles spilled over into the BRT lane.
Deputy Bangkok Governor Theerachon Manomaipibul said the problem of vehicles occupying the BRT lane prompted the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to reconsider the design of future routes to be constructed. They might be adjusted to use the space along canals as BRT lanes.
This first Sathorn-Ratchapruek route was a project that this administration had inherited from the previous administration, he said.
The traffic conditions also saw many motorcycles taking up the High Occupancy Vehicle right lane that is reserved for vehicles with over three passengers.
His discussion with Traffic Police yielded the understanding that they would not arrest or fine anyone yet, to allow people some time to adjust and choose to use public transportation instead.
Amorn Kitchawengkul, managing director of Krungthep Thanakom, said the BRT service faced a problem of other vehicles blocking the BRT lane at the Ratchapreuk U-turn. The severe congestion on Rama III Bridge was because people didn't understand the concept of leaving the centre lanes for the BRT's sole use yet.
Even Traffic Police were also forced by motorists' pressure to let them use the BRT lane, causing the whole route to take 80 minutes to travel instead of 70 minutes.
Another problem was that the bus drivers took a little too much time waiting at the platforms. The BMA should inform the public about the HOV lane works and cooperate more closely with police, he said.
In the past two days, BRT served about 10,000 commuters daily, compared to the projection of 30,000 commuters per day. During the 6am-9am and 4pm-8pm rush hours, 20 buses were deployed with a bus leaving every five minutes, while 10 buses were running during the day from 9.30am-4pm with a bus released every 10 minutes.
The BMA Traffic and Transportation Department is drawing up regulations to fine HOV-lane violators Bt200, which should go into effect in one month, he added.