Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome announced the five-year lease of the 12 m. air-conditioned buses May 9. They go into service May 18, starting rounds to pick up students at 7 a.m.
The mayor noted that Pattaya’s student population, now about 11,000, is increasing at about 10 percent per year. Many students face hardships in getting to school or have to pay for public transport. The free bus service will go a long way toward easing parents’ burden, he said.
Pattaya this week launches free school bus service for its public schools.
The natural-gas powered buses will each have a driver and attendant. All feature two exits and an emergency door and are equipped with closed-circuit television cameras and radio communications to ensure safety.
