Baulking cabbies? Just look at that traffic

By The Nation

 

 

A fresh effort has begun to make sure no prospective passenger is turned away. Here’s why it won’t work

 

A campaign has been launched in Bangkok to promote a “go anywhere” taxi service. It is yet another shot at resolving a problem that has persisted despite numerous attempts to address it – cab drivers regularly refusing to accept passengers because their requested destination is somehow inconvenient.

 

Few people are optimistic about the latest notion, knowing that fixing the problem will require combined multiple approaches.

 

Who hasn’t experienced the frustration of a taxi driver waving them off? The phenomenon of “baulking cabbies” is not even a Thailand-only issue, but also occurs in Hong Kong, Seoul, Manila and large Western cities, regardless of how tough the local transport regulations are, how frequent the crackdowns are, and how determined the passengers are to air their grievances.

 

The problem in Bangkok, however, is largely to do with the dense traffic. Most taxi drivers who refuse to accept passengers tell them the traffic where they want to go is too jammed up, according to what they just heard on their radio. The passenger can be as upset or angry as he wants to be, but the driver is simply being realistic – more time spent transporting a single customer means lost income, and his work is a race against time.

 

With the majority of Thai cabbies leasing vehicles from investors and operating in shifts, time is crucial. For other motorists, getting stuck in traffic might mean missing a meeting or being late for a date, but for taxi drivers, it means missing out on significant income.

 

Now, Bangkok authorities and an association of taxi drivers have proposed affixing a sticker prominently to the vehicle’s window declaring that everyone will be accepted as a passenger.

 

The first serious test will come when someone hails a cab in the suburbs hoping to be taken into the inner city, past disruptive construction routes and in heavy rain. If the promise of the sticker holds true, the taxi and passenger depart, and they then gets stuck in traffic, the meter – re-calibrated as part of this campaign – will boost the fare accordingly. In theory this is sound, but, as it is, there are many baulking cabbies who cannot be enticed even if extra payment is offered.

 

To be fair to the men (and women) behind the wheel, anyone who complains about Bangkok taxi service should remember that cabbies are always in good spirits and never turn away passengers during Songkran and other times when the city streets are relatively empty of traffic.

 

This is to say they are not “notoriously bad” consistently, and there’s a direct correlation between their mood and willingness and the state of the traffic. Prospective passengers can fly into a fury with taxi drivers or try to understand their predicament. It’s frustrating to be spurned, especially when our financial or social wellbeing depends on getting to our destination, but the cabbies have the same considerations in their careers and lives.

 

We need to solve the traffic problem. Only then can we fairly assess the attitudes of individual cab drivers. Short-term efforts to make them more receptive and agreeable will be a flash in the pan. They have a living to make and they’re not paid well. Give them a break.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/opinion/30349601

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-07-09

A cab will never turn you down in the US. It will cost you 50 bucks to go two blocks though. 

 

Fact to deal with: you can't have ultra cheap taxi rides without any inconveniences.

 

Anyway, I have found on many occasions after one baulk the very next cab will take the fare. I do not even think it is too big of a deal. Wave a 1000 baht note in their face if you don't wanna be turned down. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

To be fair to the men (and women) behind the wheel, anyone who complains about Bangkok taxi service should remember that cabbies are always in good spirits and never turn away passengers during Songkran and other times when the city streets are relatively empty of traffic.

Oh goody, taxi drivers will do their job when they feel like it. 

 

How divine of them. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

more time spent transporting a single customer means lost income, and his work is a race against time.

 

If they don't want to give the service they should, they should find another job.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

affixing a sticker

 

Brilliant idea - Taxi Meter Sticker.

 

With this one, Thai officialdom may have also accidentally stumbled on a cure for cancer and the solution to world hunger.

 

 

 

 

8 minutes ago, Darcula said:

 

Brilliant idea - Taxi Meter Sticker.

 

With this one, Thai officialdom may have also accidentally stumbled on a cure for cancer and the solution to world hunger.

 

I'm sure that's a reserved occupation only for phrophet-makers fortune tellers.

 

 

 

 

I've never been turned down by a taxi anywhere but Bangkok.

The whole point is that if you get stuck in traffic the meter keeps ticking and you have to pay. The driver should be happy because he's still earning money? If you don't want to sit in traffic I would suggest you get another job?

The problem is, like most laws in Thailand, no one bothers to enforce them. If, on being reported, the driver lost his licence instead of a B100 fine then maybe they'd be more interested in doing their jobs?

Singapore and, later, London paved the way: collect a toll for inner city driving. 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

We need to solve the traffic problem.

I agree. BMA and BiB can't/won't solve it. We have to solve it:

Pay me for walking!

I take it the taxi drivers know better than us, as we do not drive taxis inThailand. 

 

If they feel they are going to make more money turning down a passenger and finding another one, I am not sure it is reasonable to say they should take the first one and lose money. Feeding their kids and wives is more important to them than your appointment at the beer garden... oh damn them. Please. You would do the same exact thing and you know it. 

If it's about cabbies losing revenue while sitting in traffic, why not adjust the meter rates to put more emphasis on the time spent in the cab and less on the distance travelled?

40 minutes ago, MichaelJohn said:

I've never been turned down by a taxi anywhere but Bangkok.

The whole point is that if you get stuck in traffic the meter keeps ticking and you have to pay. The driver should be happy because he's still earning money? If you don't want to sit in traffic I would suggest you get another job?

The problem is, like most laws in Thailand, no one bothers to enforce them. If, on being reported, the driver lost his licence instead of a B100 fine then maybe they'd be more interested in doing their jobs?

Well In 30+ years  have been turned down many times and I've experienced every bullshxx story (lies) in the book.

 

Seems to me inner city transport needs multiple options, very regular services and must be affordable and that very probably means subsidies.  Look at BTS and the Airport Express, packed many times every day, except to break downs which hopefully will be fully and forever resolved, people get to their destination quite fast but for many the thought of being squashed in like sardines in a can is not an option.

 

Many lines, very frequent departures, many carriages, all planned so travel is comfortable, low cost fares affordable by very low income earners, coordinated local bus services and parking, hopefully will attract a lot more passengers.  But it will need subsidization and it seems to me the costs of subsidization is worthwhile. 

 

All of the above will reduce the need for taxis, and perhaps would make taxi drivers keen to give good service. On the other hand pretty much every time i've had negative experiences It's occurred to me that the driver is not suitable for this job.  In many other countries it's not easy to get a taxi drivers license, lots of parameters including right attitude. 

 

 

3 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

Oh goody, taxi drivers will do their job when they feel like it. 

 

How divine of them. 

Everybody in any job from the top politician to the street sweeper has to accept the bad with the good, if they cannot, then they should not be in that job.

I've always found if they are a wind the window to ask where your going type usually they won't take you.

Sent from my SM-P901 using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

Pattaya taxi drivers have solved this problem; they'll take you anywhere; anytime; but NEVER use a meter.

53 minutes ago, mikebell said:

Pattaya taxi drivers have solved this problem; they'll take you anywhere; anytime; but NEVER use a meter.

Uber/Grab is a solution too.

3 hours ago, Darcula said:

 

Brilliant idea - Taxi Meter Sticker.

 

With this one, Thai officialdom may have also accidentally stumbled on a cure for cancer and the solution to world hunger.

Did not Pattaya Bhat Busses have to display a sign in the back explaining the fares...

 

 

Needed a ride to the airport recently from Nana area. It was morning and raining a little. 

First taxi said, it's raining.....1000 B. 

I walked away.

2 hours ago, suzannegoh said:

If it's about cabbies losing revenue while sitting in traffic, why not adjust the meter rates to put more emphasis on the time spent in the cab and less on the distance travelled?

So that they lose income when there's no traffic?  Great idea.

On Saturday morning, I decided to take a friend visiting Bangkok to see Wat Po, Wat Arun, and Wat Rakhang. I met my friend at 0830 at the National Stadium BTS Station and hailed the first cab I saw.  Traffic was relatively light at this time. The ride was very quick and the fare to Wat Po was 75 baht. I gave the taxi driver 100 baht.

 

After visiting the three venues and looking for a taxi to return to the National Stadium BTS, the story was quite different. Got in the first taxi and the driver wouldn't go by meter. He wanted 400 baht - because of traffic.  Same story from two other taxi drivers. My friend an I finally decided to take a tuk tuk for 200 baht. (Which raises the issue of regulation for tuk tuks as well.) The traffic was certainly heavier than in morning but I think the meter fare on a taxi would have been 150 baht at the most.

 

Because my friend and I were in a tourist area, it was the law of the jungle and pure extortion in my view. Taxi drivers in certain areas act like mafia and there are really no alternatives.  The tourist authority should hire 'dummy' customers and start fining or revoking the license for every driver who not only refuses a customer but refuses to go to the destination using the meter.

 

Grab will charge according to traffic conditions but no where near the extortionist rates charges by rogue taxi drivers. These drivers provide a very poor experience for tourists visiting Bangkok.

 

In contrast, BMA has addressed the issue of fares for motorcycle taxis with clear signs for fares at all stations.

Happened to me in Singapore 4 weeks ago. Flagged a taxi down outside Mt Elizabeth hospital and asked to go to Jurong. Driver refused and said he was going the opposite direction. Couple of days later same thing from Tanglin area wanted to go to Changi Villlage, this time the driver just said no and drive off. Never had that happen to me before in all the years I’ve been going to Singapore. Never been refused in BKK though, only had them refuse to use meter or ask for three times the usual price upfront. 

Self driving taxis won't complain of traffic. Bring them on already.

55 minutes ago, Tongjaw said:

Happened to me in Singapore 4 weeks ago. Flagged a taxi down outside Mt Elizabeth hospital and asked to go to Jurong. Driver refused and said he was going the opposite direction. Couple of days later same thing from Tanglin area wanted to go to Changi Villlage, this time the driver just said no and drive off. Never had that happen to me before in all the years I’ve been going to Singapore. Never been refused in BKK though, only had them refuse to use meter or ask for three times the usual price upfront. 

Yes very unusual for Singapore.

 

And very risky for the driver. If reported (and Singaporeans have no hesitation to report taxi drivers or any other matter), there's a quick comprehensive investigation, if guilty very severe punishment even for first offense. Any proven second offence and taxi drivers license cancelled for life.

 

Caught driving again, jail.

 

And in Singapore it's the driver's duty to help with luggage into and out of the cab. Driver doesn't do it, good chance he'll get reported.

 

 

 

12 minutes ago, scorecard said:

Yes very unusual for Singapore.

 

And very risky for the driver. If reported (and Singaporeans have no hesitation to report taxi drivers or any other matter), there's a quick comprehensive investigation, if guilty very severe punishment even for first offense. Any proven second offence and taxi drivers license cancelled for life.

 

Caught driving again, jail.

 

And in Singapore it's the driver's duty to help with luggage into and out of the cab. Driver doesn't do it, good chance he'll get reported.

 

 

 

The loophole in Singapore is that if it's within a certain amount of time from the end of the driver's shift he can say that taking the fare would not leave him enough time to get back to wherever is is based from. Infrequently happens though, ir at least it infrequently happened when. I was living there.

The reasons indicated in the article are simply invalid. I see refusals right left and centre at times traffic is of no concern.

Last April I went to pickup a friend at Rama 3 soi 1. He indicated he wanted to go to Khao San. It was around 23:00, and we had six drivers flat out refusing to go. This is a pretty easy ride, with no traffic concerns and a guaranteed return ride.

Eventually I told the 7th driver to take us to Hualamphong, when we got there we took a cab to Khao San. Pretty much the only way to get there. In my personal experience refusing rides has become much worse in the past two years.

Sent from my SM-J730GM using Tapatalk

1 hour ago, Tongjaw said:

Happened to me in Singapore 4 weeks ago. Flagged a taxi down outside Mt Elizabeth hospital and asked to go to Jurong. Driver refused and said he was going the opposite direction. Couple of days later same thing from Tanglin area wanted to go to Changi Villlage, this time the driver just said no and drive off. Never had that happen to me before in all the years I’ve been going to Singapore. Never been refused in BKK though, only had them refuse to use meter or ask for three times the usual price upfront. 

If the driver has the "shift change" sign up they can refuse fare if not on their route, otherwise they would be in a whirl of $*it. Difference between Bangkok and Singapore is the price is far higher so they don't have the reasoning they have in Bangkok.

Taxi's in Bangkok are far too cheap IMO, how can anyone be expected to make a decent living at the rates they charge?

38 minutes ago, DrTuner said:

Self driving taxis won't complain of traffic. Bring them on already.

Once self driving taxis are on the road we will no longer have the freedom to choose where we want to go to! small price to pay! 

"The passenger can be as upset or angry as he wants to be, but the driver is simply being realistic – more time spent transporting a single customer means lost income, and his work is a race against time."

That is absolute BS and example of Thai mindset and thinking.
So the taxi driver refusing a passenger is rather driving around or idle wasting gasoline and therefore money instead of taking a passenger while the meter is still running during traffic jam.

Pathetic

On 7/9/2018 at 1:05 PM, DrTuner said:

Self driving taxis won't complain of traffic. Bring them on already.

Welcome to Johnny Cab. Helluva day, isn’t it? ?