Public Transport International Community Consultation

September 24

An international community consultation on the new public transport system for Chiang Mai was held at the URC (Urban Redevelopment Chiang Mai) office.
The new public transport system is being proposed by the Provincial Administrative Organization (PAO) Chiang Mai.
Dr. Preeda Pityapun, Dept. Civil Engineering, Fac Engineering, CMU was on hand to make a presentation on plans for Public Transport Chiang Mai.
The meeting is organized by the Chiang Mai Breathe Council and was attended by several interested groups; including representatives from the Japanese, British, Irish, Italian, and Austrian Consuls. Also attending were Josh Morris CMRCA, Shayne Rochfort Chiang Mai Safe City, Frans Betgem Green Trails Travel as well as a representative from the Expat Club Chiang Mai.

The consensus was that for EV Buses to be successful they had to be part of an integrated package which should include bus and bicycle lanes (strictly enforced), pedestrian and wheelchair friendly pavements, promotion of walkable car free inner city, significant charges for cars entering city, multi-storey park and ride hubs around ring roads serviced by timely and efficient bus services. Many voiced that an EV bus system alone would not solve the public transport issue and just add more vehicles to the already crowded. It was further was suggested that cable car ropeway were now being successfully used in many cities around the world as a low carbon cost efficient solution for urban mobility. It was agreed that representatives from the international community should sit on the civic society council for planning a viable public transport system.