Phuket keeps EV buses in festival mode through Oct. 18
Phuket’s electric bus network is being kept in service through the final stretch of the Vegetarian Festival, giving residents and visitors a simpler way to move through the island’s busiest areas without relying on a car.
What changed
Officials promoted the EV bus network at Provincial Hall on Oct. 14, putting clean public transport back in the spotlight for the festival period. The idea is practical: when Old Town, shrines and main streets get crowded, buses offer a calmer alternative to driving.
The network now includes six routes inside municipal and district areas, served by 28 electric buses in Mueang Phuket and Patong. Another 13 routes connect municipal areas and districts, with 19 electric buses in a total fleet of 226 buses.
Where it helps
The routes link Phuket Town with the airport, Patong, Karon, Kata, Rawai, Kamala and other popular destinations. That makes them especially useful during shrine visits and festival processions, when parking near key spots can be difficult.
Passengers can check stops, arrival times, fares, distances and trip duration in the Phuket Bus app, which is available in Thai, English, Russian and Chinese.
Why it matters now
The Vegetarian Festival runs from Oct. 10 to Oct. 18, and the final days are often the busiest for foot traffic and local road disruption. In that setting, the bus is less about convenience and more about keeping daily movement manageable.
For residents, it is a reminder that Phuket’s public transport is becoming part of everyday life. For visitors, it is a straightforward way to get around the island during one of its most crowded weeks.
