The Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) reported that a total of 1,254 operators had signed up for the support programme between Apr 16-19, with 112 registrations recorded at the provincial office alone.
The scheme forms part of a nationwide effort by the Department of Land Transport (DLT) to ease the financial burden on transport operators affected by rising fuel prices.
Eligible applicants include operators of Category 2 and Category 3 regular passenger buses, non-regular passenger buses ‒ including 30-, 31- and 36-seat vehicles ‒ as well as non-regular hired trucks, taxis and public motorcycle taxi drivers. Both stand-based and app-based motorcycle taxi operators are able to apply.
PLTO officials have urged all eligible operators to complete registration before the Friday deadline. Applications are being accepted at the PLTO office in Wichit during official working hours, from 8:30am to 4:30pm.
The assistance programme is part of a broader government package approved with a budget of B2.06 billion to address rising living costs driven by global energy price increases. Financial support under the scheme is tied to operational activity, with payments calculated either as fixed amounts or based on distance travelled, verified through GPS tracking.
For example, some public transport vehicles may qualify for payments of up to B5,040 per vehicle, provided they meet a minimum travel distance of 2,500 kilometres during a 42-day period from Apr 20 to May 31.
Nationally, the scheme has drawn strong interest. On the second day of registration in Bangkok, large crowds of operators gathered at the DLT headquarters, despite initial technical issues with the registration system.
While many drivers have welcomed the financial relief, some have raised concerns about the conditions attached to the payments. Operators noted that meeting minimum distance requirements could prove challenging amid declining passenger numbers, with some fearing they may need to operate without passengers simply to qualify.
Others pointed to ongoing uncertainty over fuel prices, which has complicated long-term transport contracts and eroded profit margins.
Officials have acknowledged the mixed response, noting that both online and in-person registrations are being widely used as operators adapt to the system.
The DLT has confirmed that applications will continue to be accepted nationwide until the Apr 24 deadline, with payments to be made via PromptPay once eligibility criteria are met.