No replies to this topic

[Birch]

"The Transport Ministry's 110-billion-baht plan to lease new buses for the city ran into a major hurdle yesterday when Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej decided to put it on the backburner to avoid criticism of possible graft. Mr Samak ordered the bus project be withdrawn from the agenda on the grounds that there was a need to review the investment cost by a committee responsible for mass transit.

Transport Minister Santi Promphat said that in the wake of reservations voiced by academics and critics, Mr Samak wanted the project to be reviewed carefully, especially the investment cost, so officials could answer queries that were bound to arise.

The ministry had planned to lease 6,000 air-conditioned buses powered by natural gas for 10 years. The review will touch on the appropriateness of the leasing charge of roughly 5,100 baht per bus per day. The terms of reference for the selection of the leasing company will also be scrutinised."

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=128285