Phuket Airport Bus Operator To Serve Kata

26th Nov 2014

The airport bus operator has been serving tourists for years between Phuket International Airport and Patong, the most developed and the largest tourist beach destination in Phuket.

Recently, owner, Prakob Panyawai, has talked to PLTO allow his company to extend its service beyond its traditional terminus (Patong Beach) to Karon.

He disclosed that he wanted to augment his units, possibly four minibuses, to serve the planned extended route. He said he would like to try the route for about three months for its feasibility. Depending on the volume of passengers demand and the corresponding revenue, he will decide whether to continue the extended service or not.

When queried about using minibuses instead of regular bus units for the service, he explained that it will be more economical to operate such units. He claimed that maintenance cost for bus unit is more costly than minibus. If in case there are too few passengers taking the trip, they will use the minibus instead to save on costs.

PLTO chief, Jaturong Kaewkasi, confirmed that the bus operator talked to his office about service extension to Karon. He said he is open to the idea because it will offer tourists easy access to Phuket's other beach attractions aside from Patong. He, however, assured that his office is carefully studying the fare structure on the extended route so as to ensure business sustainability to the bus operator and the interest of the passengers.

When Phuket Airport Bus Express commenced operations, the livery of its buses includes routes to Karon and Kata beaches. However, the operator was not able to go beyond Patong after the taxi drivers and operators operating at Karon and Kata areas threatened to sow violence once they intrude into their territory. Since then, the bus operator has since abandoned the two routes even before it could start plying there.

When the new Thai government was installed following the coup in May this year, the government ordered the disbandment of the 'taxi mafia' in the two areas. Threats have gone and Phuket Airport Bus Express has revived its original intention to serve Karon and Kata.

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