A new legislation has been printed in the Royal Gazette, stating that passengers are no longer allowed to face on the back of baht buses, also recognized as songtaews. But drivers are also obligated to choose up all passengers, leaving drivers with the dilemma of either illegally not picking up passengers when full or illegally overcrowding and permitting passengers to stand on the back of the bus.
Similar laws have long existed – and infrequently been ignored – on an area stage throughout Thailand. But Invitation only on standing on the back of baht buses was enacted as a federal regulation. Some consider the national law will be more strictly enforced than local laws.
Baht buses are a standard form of public transportation in Thailand, especially in city areas. They are usually pickup vehicles or vans with lined seating areas within the again, they usually comply with mounted routes across the city, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. Baht buses are known for their low fares, and passengers can flag them down from the roadside or hail them from a designated cease.
The legislation prohibiting standing on the again of baht buses is meant to improve security for passengers. While they’ve seats contained in the lined space, many passengers prefer to stand on the back for a sooner and extra handy experience, significantly during rush hour. However, authorities worry for safety with riders dangling of the tail finish of the bus, particularly when the automobile is transferring at high speeds or making sudden turns.
The law additionally mandates that the pace limit for baht buses must not exceed 60 kilometres per hour, and drivers who break this regulation will face legal action.
Despite the safety issues, some baht bus operators usually are not proud of the new legislation. They argue that they can’t at all times stop passengers from standing on the again, especially during rush hour when passengers are in a hurry and keen to take the risk.
Also, baht bus drivers can not legally refuse to select up extra passengers. So if individuals can not stand on the back of the bus, and they’re legally obligated to choose up increasingly more passengers, overcrowding contained in the lined area of the baht bus is inevitable.
The 60 kilometres per hour velocity limit can also be a cause for concern amongst baht bus operators. While it is in all probability not a problem for baht buses working inside city limits, it may affect those that run outdoors of town. However, the new legislation is anticipated to enhance overall security for both passengers and drivers, as nicely as scale back the danger of accidents and legal legal responsibility for operators..