Thai Smile Bus (TSB) has successfully turned its financial trajectory around, achieving profitability in August 2024 after three years of operations. The company, established in 2021, now operates 124 bus routes in Bangkok and surrounding areas. TSB reported significant growth in 2024, with daily ridership climbing to 380,000 passengers from 250,000 at the start of the year, and daily revenue averaging seven million baht.
TSB attributes its success to a comprehensive reform of bus routes in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region, standardizing operations across providers and phasing out unregistered services. The company also expanded its fleet, deploying 32% more buses than in early 2024, with an average of 1,650 buses operating daily. Internal improvements, including better driver training and stricter operational standards, have also reduced customer complaints.
Looking ahead to 2025, TSB plans to increase its fleet to 2,000 buses and implement advanced technologies such as real-time fleet monitoring to enhance service efficiency. The company also aims to introduce new payment methods, including state welfare cards, debit, and credit cards, starting in early 2025.
Operational highlights include TSB’s top-performing routes, such as Line 2-38, generating over 358,000 baht daily from 20,500 passengers. Meanwhile, Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA), the city’s largest bus operator, faces mounting challenges. BMTA, with 107 routes and a fleet of 2,600 buses, reported a staggering 140 billion baht in accumulated debt.
In contrast, TSB has overcome losses of 200 million baht per month recorded in 2022, reaching financial stability and profitability within just three years. The company now positions itself as a leader in Thailand’s evolving public transit sector.
