The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration will upgrade 500 bus stops this year, Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt said on Thursday while reporting the progress on the city’s landscaping for footpaths and bus stops.

There are about 2,000 bus stops that lack roofs and require upgrades, Chadchart said.

“The city’s budget this year should be enough to cover 500 stops. We will start by installing a prototype new bus stop in 17 locations,” he said.

Chadchart added that the bus stops that will be renovated are small and mid-sized. The larger stops have been contracted by advertising companies.

“We aim to improve all bus stops in the city in the next three years,” he said.

Chadchart added that landscaping will be improved for 17 footpaths by the Bureau of Public Works.

“The idea is to improve footpaths within 1 kilometre of electric train stations, schools, and public places to accommodate a high volume of pedestrians,” he said. “Furthermore, each district has been given a goal of improving footpaths for at least 20km. in their area, totalling 1,000km in all 50 districts.”

“Bangkokians will notice the change. Footpaths, bus stops, as well as public lighting are all getting better throughout the city, all thanks to the policy we implemented this year of making Bangkok a walkable city,” Chadchart said.