If you say this sentence to anyone, probably no one would believe it.
When speaking of the “dream bus” for Thai people, many imagine air-conditioned comfort, punctuality, safety, and no longer standing by the roadside inhaling black smoke. Yet for Bangkok residents, the image remembered over decades is the exact opposite: the worn-out, battered red-cream hot buses with the same old appearance that have deteriorated over time, leaving almost no one believing this cycle could ever be broken.
But believe it or not, by next year (2027), what was once just a dream is about to become reality!
. . .The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)has finalized a timeline that will truly transform the history of Bangkok’s bus system. BMTA plans to receive 1,520 new air-conditioned electric buses (EVs) to operate as one-to-one replacements for the old hot buses.
This marks a historic transition for BMTA, since the orange air-conditioned buses (Euro 2) currently in use were purchased back in 2001-2002, and the red-cream hot buses serving today are aged over 35 years.
The arrival of 1,520 electric buses represents BMTA’s largest fleet renewal ever, switching from outright purchase to a lease model with a 7-year long-term maintenance system.
Let’s examine the delivery plan for the 1,520 buses and how they will be allocated across routes.
Recently, BMTA and the concessionaire unveiled completed prototype buses. The entire fleet will be delivered in three major batches within 2027, as follows:
This means that Bangkok and its metropolitan area residents will immediately transition from hot buses to air-conditioned electric buses.
Kittikan Jomduang Jaruworapolkul, Director of BMTA, revealed the plan to receive 1,520 electric buses (EVs) to replace retired old buses, marking BMTA’s first transition from diesel to electric-powered buses.
Phase 1 involves receiving the first batch of 500 buses by the end of March 2027, followed by a second batch of 500 by the end of April 2027, and a final batch of 520 by late May 2027. BMTA will accept earlier deliveries if the manufacturer can provide them ahead of schedule.
Currently, main parts for the first 40 buses have arrived at the factory of Energy Absolute Public Company Limited (EA) to begin production, which can reach up to 15 buses per day, though BMTA has set a minimum production plan of 12 buses daily.
Two prototype buses have been assembled for safety system tests, road condition suitability, and driver training before service launch. On 24 Sep 2026, coinciding with BMTA’s 50th anniversary, one prototype will be showcased and used for driver trials.
All electric buses will fully replace the 1,520 old red-cream buses on a one-to-one basis in line with government policy to upgrade to clean-energy air-conditioned buses.
Phase 1 will deploy buses across nearly 50 routes out of 107 routes undergoing reform.
The new buses will focus on city loops like route 191 (Ratchadaphisek-Ramkhamhaeng), business districts such as Silom, Bang Rak, Khlong Toei, Rama IV, and suburban connection routes to accommodate increasing passenger volumes—currently averaging 550,000 to 650,000 on weekdays and 300,000 to 400,000 on weekends. Fares will range from 15 to 25 baht according to Department of Land Transport air-conditioned bus standards, with the government considering fare relief via state welfare cards or integrated fare systems.
Kittikan added that BMTA has planned a second phase to procure 800 electric buses totaling over 8 billion baht. This plan is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives. If approved and included in the annual budget, BMTA can proceed immediately with procurement steps. This budget will be a 7-year commitment from 2027 to 2033.
“The second phase’s 800 electric buses will significantly improve efficiency and reduce organizational costs. Combined with the first phase, BMTA will almost entirely replace old buses, cutting annual maintenance contracting costs from over 2 billion baht and diesel fuel costs from 1.8 billion baht down to 35-40%, approximately 800 million baht per year.”
“With future staff reductions enabled by advanced fleet management systems, further savings of 900 million baht are expected. Overall, BMTA anticipates cost savings exceeding 4.1 billion baht annually, enabling sustainable budget management and enhancing environmentally friendly public transport services,” Kittikan stated.
Beyond new buses, BMTA is preparing 12 bus depots to support the fleet. Physical upgrades will pilot in three depots—Chiang Rak, Samut Prakan Housing, and Khlong Bang Phai Station—by late October. The remaining nine depots have contractors but await new board approval due to authority limits.
“Each depot will install charging stations that fully charge a bus in 3 hours, focusing on charging between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. to ensure safety and battery longevity. One full charge supports at least 200 kilometers, sufficient for congested traffic conditions. The system will support integrated ticketing, including welfare card readers (EPC), EMV contactless credit/debit cards, and QR code scanning for passenger convenience,” Kittikan explained.
A key highlight of this transition is not just clean, air-conditioned buses but also integrated technology meeting urban passenger behaviors, such as GPS tracking and CCTV on every bus linked to a mobile app. This allows real-time schedule and location checks via the BMTA BUS app, tailored to city dwellers’ needs.
This will eliminate aimless waiting and guessing bus departure times, reduce bus bunching or gaps through fleet management, and support a cashless society with tap-to-pay systems that are simpler and more secure.
This marks a historic shift from analog transport to a fully digital era.
The arrival of electric buses combined with a reliable scheduling app will improve urban living quality, turning the “dream bus” from mere fantasy into a reality accessible on everyone’s smartphone by next year.
Read economic news and government policy with ThairathMoney to help you "Better Finance, Better Life" at
Follow the Facebook page Thairath Money at this link https://www.facebook.com/ThairathMoney