The Bangkok Metropolitan Region (BMR) Authority has established a van transit system to meet transport needs in very congested areas as well as for travel between city centres and suburban areas. First initiated in 1995, the system has been so popular that the number of vans increased from a few hundred in 1995 to about 8,300 in early 2004. The service was provided by private operators in BMR and supported by fares received from customers. There is no funding from government agencies.

Van transit operates on public streets and expressways in mixed traffic. The routes are fixed by the operators themselves based on the principle of supply and demand. They are designed to offer the shortest travel time between origin and final destination by having only two stops.

Some supporting instruments implemented included the following:

• The design and plan developed need-responsive routes where the needs of the customer travel had not been addressed;
• The system was based on self-regulation by establishing a service providers association; and
• The design’s operation policy allowed the system to accommodate passengers at full capacity with comfortable seating and in a pleasant environment.

The van transit system has created a new means of transportation by the BMR and is considered to be an efficient and effective mode of transport in terms of cost and energy savings. The service has attracted a large number of private car operators, as well as bus users who could have switched to private vehicles if the van service had not been available. Estimates are that in 2004 there were approximately 800,000 users of the van system per day. The system now plays an important role in promoting ride sharing for mobility in congested areas serviced by the BMR. As a result, it is expected that the service will help reduce traffic congestion.

Case study courtesy of the UNEP Publication, Reducing Emissions from Private Cars: Incentive measures for behavioural change.