Comparison between COVID-19 responses among institutionalized and peripheral transport services: The case of Bangkok City, Thailand

Abstract

This chapter complements the focus on institutionalized public transport services such as buses and metro systems by including peripheral transport services with “weaker” institutional influences on their operations. These include on-demand services, paratransit services, shared mobility services, and informal services. By specifically studying the case of Bangkok, Thailand, where these transport services coexist, we explore and compare the responses of institutionalized services, which are fully regulated by public agencies with on-demand services (taxi and ride-hailing services), shared mobility options (carsharing and bicycle-sharing services) that operate under the rules and regulations of public agencies through private companies. We also include self-organized informal transport services such as motorcycle taxis and shared buses (known as “Songtaew” in Thailand), which operate with loose public regulations. By examining these various transport services, we gain insights into how different governance models impact their response to pandemics within a shared context.