The Phuket ‘light rail’ may end up being an electric bus instead

The Phuket mass rapid transport system, aka. Phuket Light Rail and Phuket Tram, is receiving more attention as the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand mull more changes to the design. The initial route, which would run from the Phuket Airport, follow the main north/south artery, Thepkasattri Road, then through Phuket Town and on to Chalong circle, has a projected budget of 35 billion baht.

The projected first phase route would run nearly 42 kilometres.

The project, which has only received Luke-warm support from Phuket locals, was discussed in last Tuesday’s remote cabinet meeting in Phuket.

Now the designers are considering moving from a light rail carriage system that would run on rails, to an electric ‘bus’ model that would run along a normal road on rubber wheels. Consultants for the Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand say they’re looking to…