Partnering with all major Bangkok transport agencies, Google is the only organization that provides walking and driving directions, public transit route planning and traffic information in one easy-to-use platform
Bangkok, November 25, 2009 - What do 1.7 million daily public transit riders per day. Combined total of BTS, MRT and BMTA passengers per day. And over 5 million motorists in Bangkok have in common? They can now use Google Maps to plan their trips around the city through a unique collaboration between Google and the following land transportation organizations in Bangkok: Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS) and Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT). Mapping, directions and route planning for the various forms of land transportation in Bangkok - from our own two feet to buses, trains and cars - are now all available for free in Thai on Google Maps. Transit and traffic information are also available on mobile devices with Google Maps for Mobile, so commuters and motorists can check the latest updates on their cellphones to make route changes on-the-go.
Today at Siam Square, overlooking one of Bangkok's busiest transportation hubs, Wisit Wongsaroj, Head of the office of Information Technology, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), Kobkul Mothana, Director-technology information, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Arkom Baramichai, Chief Administrative Officer, Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS), Witoon Hatairatana Marketing and Commercial Development Division Director, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT), Andrew McGlinchey, Head of Product Management, Google Southeast Asia, and Pornthip Kongchun, Thailand Marketing Head, Google Southeast Asia, launched this new service, which can be accessed through Google Maps at maps.google.co.th/transport.
Under this collaboration, Google is the first organization to officially receive bus/train schedules, locations and routes from the BMTA, BTS and MRT. Google also worked with the OTP to integrate live traffic data into the popular and familiar user interface of Google Maps. None of the local partners are incurring any costs for the partnership with Google.
Whether a private car owner switching to go by bus or BTS or MRT, or a public transit rider choosing to drive or take a taxi, or even one of 10 million international visitors Office of Tourism Development, Thailand who land in Bangkok each year finding their way around, the Bangkok public can now use Google Maps to plan their routes and make an informed decision on the quickest and most convenient way to reach their destinations. Each time a Google Maps user requests driving directions, the user will also be given the opportunity to plan the same trip using public transit which is very useful when the traffic route is highlighted as red or heavy congestion.
"Each day, millions of commuters travel the streets of Bangkok using BMTA buses. With the launch of transit information on Google Maps for Bangkok with step-by-step instructions in Thai, it is now even easier to go green and take public transportation around the city. We are delighted to be collaborating with Google and our other local partners to provide residents and visitors in Bangkok a comprehensive, easy-to-use trip planner that links BMTA buses to the rest of the city's other public transit options," said Wisit Wongsaroj, Head of the office of Information Technology, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA).
"Our office is excited to have worked closely with Google to make it easy for Bangkok motorists to access current traffic conditions on their computers or mobile phones," said Kobkul Mothana, Director-technology information, Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP). "In accordance with our mission to ensure an efficient transportation system in Thailand, we believe that the traffic layer on Google Maps will help drivers in Bangkok save on commuting time and expenses by letting them plan their travel routes in advance or change them on-the-go to avoid congested areas."
"This year marks our 10th anniversary of operations in Bangkok and we are pleased to be joining Google and our other transportation colleagues in announcing the availability of transit information on Google Maps," said Arkom Baramichai, Chief Administrative Officer, Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS). "The train routes and schedules from BTS have been integrated into the transit information on Google Maps to better inform Bangkok commuters about which mode of transportation to use on any given day. We hope that everyone in Bangkok uses the tool in order to make their daily commutes easier."
"Our mission has always been to provide mass transit services to the public that are safe, fast, reliable and punctual. This transit feature integrates MRT data on Google Maps to enhance commuters' experience by making it easy for them to plan their trips across multiple forms of public transit. Whether it's trying to get to the Thai Cultural Center on Rajadapisek road or grabbing a bite to eat at Japanese restaurant near Silom Station, Google Maps will help commuters get to their destinations as quickly as possible," said Witoon Hatairatana Marketing and Commercial Development Division Director, Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT).
"Google's goal is to bring accurate, comprehensive land transport information from OTP, BMTA, BTS and MRT together on a global mapping platform for easy access, search and use on PCs or mobile phones by millions of Bangkok residents and Google Maps users around the world," said Pornthip. “Google is currently the only organization that has combined all the forms of land transportation in Bangkok into one easy-to-use Thai interface. We're very excited to be launching this service today in Bangkok and we hope that residents and visitors to the city, whether they are traveling by foot, bus, train or car will find it helpful in getting to their destinations."
Google Maps for Mobile offers transit, traffic and driving information on-the-go
Google Maps for Mobile extends the dynamic search capabilities of Google Maps to mobile phones, allowing anyone in Thailand to locate addresses and navigate maps while on the go. Google Maps for Mobile also has the My Location feature, which shows your location on the map even if your phone does not have GPS, and lets you look up business listings in relation to where you are (e.g. type "restaurants" into the map search box and it will display nearby restaurants).
When in Bangkok, users can now also use the traffic and transit features in Google Maps for Mobile to plan their travel while on the move. Google Maps for Mobile is free to download on your phone at http://m.google.co.th/maps. It also comes pre-installed on many web-enabled handsets. The services on Google Maps for Mobile are free; however, standard mobile data fees charged by the telecoms carriers will apply.
About Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP)
The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP), Ministry of Transport, is responsible for recommending policies and formulating transport, traffic and transport safety plans in line with master plans for policy integration purposes
About Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA)
Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) was established by a Royal Decree Establishing the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority, B.E. 2519. Beginning operations the following October, the BMTA undertook to provide bus service to commuters in six provinces, i.e. Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Sakhon and Samut Prakan.
About Bangkok Mass Transit System Public Company Limited (BTS)
BTSC operates one of the safest and most punctual mass transit systems in the region, and plays a crucial role in helping to ease Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams while providing an environmentally friendly transport alternative for Bangkok’s commuters.
About Bangkok Metro Public Company Limited, Metro Operator (MRT)
MRT: safe, fast, convenience, trustworthy, and punctual
About Google Inc.
Google's innovative search technologies connect millions of people around the world with information every day. Founded in 1998 by Stanford Ph.D. students Larry Page and Sergey Brin, Google today is a top web property in all major global markets. Google's targeted advertising program provides businesses of all sizes with measurable results, while enhancing the overall web experience for users. Google is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.google.co.th.
Google and Google AdWords are registered trademarks of Google Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.
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