The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) is moving forward with signing an integrity agreement to lease 800 more electric buses (EVs), aiming for a total fleet exceeding 3,000 buses. BMTA also explained the rationale for retaining some red diesel buses as reserves to operate during flood disasters.
Mr. Kittikan Jomduang, Director of the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA). He revealed after chairing the signing ceremony of the integrity memorandum for leasing 800 additional clean-energy air-conditioned buses (EVs) that this project continues from the previous leasing of 1,520 EV buses. The goal is to replace aging diesel-engine air-conditioned buses, some about 30 years old, which have high maintenance costs and scarce spare parts. Combining the 2,320 EV buses from both projects with approximately 700-800 natural gas (NGV) buses, BMTA will have over 3,000 buses in service, sufficient for current needs for another 7-10 years. However, future route or service changes may require reassessing bus demand accordingly.
Mr. Kittikan added that as a state enterprise, BMTA must submit the project plan to its executive board (BMTA Board) for consideration, then forward it through the Ministry of Transport for Cabinet approval. Currently, the appointment of a new board is pending, expected by November 2026. Meanwhile, BMTA is studying demand, preparing project details and documentation to submit promptly once the board is appointed. After Cabinet approval, BMTA will invite operators to bid and select contractors, targeting contract signing between January and March 2027. Local content requirements are expected to be around 40%, focusing on domestic assembly. However, timelines depend on the new board’s appointment and approval progress.
Mr. Kittikan explained that following recent floods, BMTA decided to keep some red diesel buses as special-use vehicles for disaster situations because EV buses have electronic and battery systems that should not be exposed to deep floodwaters, which could cause costly damage and are uneconomical to repair. While EVs improve the environment and reduce pollution under normal conditions, BMTA must have an early warning system and plans to move EV buses out of flood-prone areas promptly, alongside preparing diesel buses to support emergency relief efforts appropriately.
Mr. Kittikan said the current integrity agreement signing appointed three project observers led by Ms. Supaporn Sirikul, with two others, to monitor operations and provide expert advice. Observers must be independent and can offer any comments or recommendations, especially regarding compliance with regulations set by the Comptroller General’s Department. However, observers do not interfere with project approval decisions. If irregularities are found, observers report them in monthly reports or escalate significant issues to management for further consideration.
A representative from the Comptroller General’s Department stated that the integrity agreement is a cooperation mechanism among government agencies, contractors, and observers under the Public Procurement and Supplies Administration Act of 2017. Observers monitor procurement processes from drafting terms of reference (TOR) to final payment disbursement, producing monthly observation reports. If doubts or issues arise, the project owner must respond within a set period, usually 15 days. Unresolved issues may lead to further reports and referral to relevant committees. Having observations does not imply corruption but ensures transparency and accountability in the process.
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