Phuket Governor Nirat Pongsitthaworn revealed this week that the province is advancing efforts to modernise public transport through digital technology, making services more accessible for both residents and tourists.
Adcha Buachan, Chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), presented the development plan for the Phuket Bus app under the theme “One App, Travel the Whole Island”. The app is designed to allow users to check real-time bus information, with the goal of reducing congestion and raising the overall standard of public transportation on the island.
Key features of the app include real-time bus location tracking, estimated waiting times, route details, travel distances and fare rates. The system supports data from both electric buses (EV buses) and traditional local minibuses, commonly known as wooden songthaews, enabling comprehensive coverage through a single platform.
The Phuket Provincial Transport Office has already worked with bus operators to install GPS systems linking vehicles to the application across nine routes.
For ‘Category 1’ city buses, three routes have been integrated into the system:
- Saphan Hin – Central Phuket
- Chalong Pier – Supercheap
- Ratsada Pier – Andamanda Phuket water park
For ‘Category 4’ inter-district buses, which currently operate 13 routes in total, six routes have been connected to the application:
- Phuket Town – Tha Chatchai
- Phuket Airport – Surin Beach – Patong Beach – Rawai Beach – Laem Phromthep
- Phuket – Karon – Kata Noi Beach (Phothong Bus)
- Phuket Bus Terminal – Phuket Airport
- Phuket Town – Patong (B)
- Phuket Airport – Patong – Kata Beach
Officials confirmed that GPS installation and data integration will be expanded to cover all 13 inter-district routes in the future, allowing users to access complete route information island-wide.
Governor Nirat said the project marks another significant step in developing a modern, technology-driven transport network for Phuket. He added that improving real-time information access would enhance travel confidence and safety, while also encouraging greater use of public transport.
The initiative is also intended to help reduce reliance on private vehicles, ease traffic congestion and strengthen Phuket’s image as a quality international tourist destination driven by innovation, he added.
"The province [Phuket Provincial Office] has prioritised the use of digital technology to support transport system development and to accommodate continued growth in visitor numbers, Gov Nirat said.
Of note, the announcement by the PLTO failed to make any mention of the ‘Phuket OneMap’ app, which already shows integrated real-time tracking for six public bus lines.
The ‘Phuket OneMap’ app, promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) last year, provides estimated arrival times, interactive maps, stop information, and transfer suggestions for navigating Phuket’s key areas.