The BMA is turning Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem in Bangkok's old town into a new canal transportation route. (BMA photo)
Bangkok (VNA) - The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has approved a plan to buy electric boats to serve commuters along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem in the capital city's Old Town.
The purchase is a part of BMA's plan to revitalise public transportation along Bangkok's canals, a feasibility study for which was completed by BMA's Transport Policy Office in March 2020.
Bangkok Deputy Governor Sakoltee Phattiyakul said the new electric boat service will be operated by BMA's investment arm, Krungthep Thanakhom (KT), which is expected to receive 117 million baht (3.58 million USD) to run the service along Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem.
The service will be launched in November this year, and operated by KT for 660 days. Afterwards, BMA will open a tender to select a private operator to run the service, he said.
With 1,161 canals stretching some 2,272km within its limits, Bangkok was originally envisioned as a canal town, with the capital's waterways service as its main transport means./.
