Taxi operators want new rate to apply to all taxis

[webfact]

Taxi operators want new rate to apply to all taxis

 

FILE photo

 

BANGKOK, 6 November 2018 (NNT)-Taxi companies are urging Thailand's Department of Land Transport (DLT) to apply the new taxi fare to all taxis as opposed to just members of the TAXI OK program. 

According to DLT Deputy Director General, Kamol Buranapong , a meeting was recently held between the DLT and taxi companies which are facing rising operating costs. 

The DLT proposed that either a 3 baht per minute rate be applied, should the vehicle move at a speed of no more than 6 kilometers an hour, or 1.50 baht per minute for all distances and speeds. The starting fare of 35 baht will remain the same. It will be decided later which of these options is more practical. The DLT wants 12,000 TAXI OK vehicles to be the first group of taxis to use the new rate. 

Secretary-General of the Association of Public Taxi Drivers, Mrs. Arporn Nopsophon , said that while she is pleased with the proposal, it would only be fair if such rates apply to all types of taxi, adding that passengers would avoid paying more and take taxis that still charge the old rate.

 

-- nnt 2018-11-06

[PatOngo]

The world is changing so let’s adjust to it,
Think of new things to build it up, build it up!
Wanna be cool, pretty, rich,
Nothing’s for sure. You gotta make it, make it!

[akirasan]

Bit pointless modifying the metered fare when 60% of the drivers don't know how to switch their meter on and the other 40% have no interest in picking up passengers anyway.

[HappyAndRich]

Of course they want to have same hike in fare, without participating in the Taxi OK program. They want it for free.

[pieeyed]

Of course they want to have same hike in fare, without participating in the Taxi OK program. They want it for free.

The dicks that will not stop or refuse a fare are not taxi OK.


Sent from my SM-J730GM using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Bob12345]

All taxis?

Also the ones on Phuket?

For the mentioned amounts they wont even get out of bed.

[new2here]

I do agree that having a 2-tier rate system isn’t ideal and that could create income inconsistencies...

 

That said, I think a 2-tier system IS fair IF there is a material difference in the service or product on offer...  

 

Hoever, I also think that given where taxi services - driver standards, car/ride quality - are (IMHO) at in the metro Bangkok area (and I cede that the situation can be radically different in other cities) I am not so sure that a fare hike is justified.

 

I am not the biggest fan of supporting a rare hike UNTIL a proven record of service quality is achieved FIRST.

 

I would be 100% supportive of a fare hike IF I could see a verifiable reduction in proven complaints like “not using meter”, “no pick-up” and such... but until such takes place, I just can’t see the merits.

 

i agree that costs continually rise and incomes have largely stagnated.. but I don’t think that issue alone (the disparity between rising expenses and stagnant wages) justifies a wage hike without some form of a corresponding improvement in the product.

[ZeVonderBearz]

Grab is the only viable option for local trasport in this country. 

[andre47]

I was last week in Bangkok and had no problem at all to get a taxi. Each taxi was using the meter. Even no discussion at all.  ????

 

[toolpush]

I used Grab once. Got picked up and away we went. The driver kept his phone in his hand and kept looking at while driving. I asked him to watch the road instead, he ignored me. I reached over the seat and asked to see his phone. He gave it to me and I told him I would give it back when we reached my destination. No problem, we reached my destination, I paid and he went on his merry way. I sent Grab management a message to tell their drivers to mind the road when driving and not their phone. They responded by blacklisting me from the system????

Screw them. They can take their company and shove it to where the sun don't shine.

[nausea]

I agree. The official taxi rates in Thailand are just too low. I'm not a guy to cut off my own nose to spite my face but fair is fair. I get embarrassed at the fares I pay. It's like these m/cycle guys going for 10bt a shot. I suppose as a Farang I have a distorted view, 10bt is a lot to a schoolkid. And they are mostly dealing with the local market, who aren't that affluent. Give me a highly regulated expensive taxi service as in London, or a cheap A to B system (so long as you know where you're going and the route) like we have in Thailand, and I know which I'd choose. And if they refuse a fare, so what, there'll always be another along in a minute. In the tourist areas it's probably a different story. I always use my legs and walk a little way outside, to catch a passing taxi that isn't tied in to paying for their spot. I've only had one problem, in my ten years here, and that was outside of The Mall Ngamwongwan. A guy tagged me as a Farang and decided he wasn't going to use the meter. I just said stop now. He didn't so I opened the door and threatened to get out at 5 miles an hour. He was full of apologies, spoke good English though, always a danger sign.

Edited November 6, 2018 by nausea

[Thian]

1 hour ago, andre47 said:

I was last week in Bangkok and had no problem at all to get a taxi. Each taxi was using the meter. Even no discussion at all.  ????

 

Depends where in BKK you take a taxi.....at touristic spots they won't do it.

[richard_smith237]

46 minutes ago, toolpush said:

I used Grab once. Got picked up and away we went. The driver kept his phone in his hand and kept looking at while driving. I asked him to watch the road instead, he ignored me. I reached over the seat and asked to see his phone. He gave it to me and I told him I would give it back when we reached my destination. No problem, we reached my destination, I paid and he went on his merry way. I sent Grab management a message to tell their drivers to mind the road when driving and not their phone. They responded by blacklisting me from the system????

Screw them. They can take their company and shove it to where the sun don't shine.

 

Thats quite shocking...  Did you send them any evidence of driver using his phone?

 

Terrible treatment by Grab - I've yet to find anything to complain about, however, should the time come and I'm treated the same way I'd feel the same.

[richard_smith237]

11 minutes ago, Thian said:

1 hour ago, andre47 said:

I was last week in Bangkok and had no problem at all to get a taxi. Each taxi was using the meter. Even no discussion at all.  ????

 

Depends where in BKK you take a taxi.....at touristic spots they won't do it.

 

All over Bangkok - its not just Westerners in Tourist areas who get fed up with this, the Thai forums are rife with complaints and anecdotes of how terrible the drivers are.... from aggressive driving, suggestive comments (to girls), to flat out rejections or over charging.... We (as westerners ) think we are treated poorly by Taxi drivers... the Thai's are often treated worse !!!... 

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, ZeVonderBearz said:

Grab is the only viable option for local transport in this country. 

Works famously in Vietnam. I use it all the time when I am there.

[Cadbury]

24 minutes ago, Thian said:

Depends where in BKK you take a taxi.....at touristic spots they won't do it.

I used them all the time in the Ramkamhaeng area. Never had a problem. Especially if you give them directions in Thai.

[BurgerGung]

Q: Has anyone tried to hail a cab from Chatuchak Market BTS to Mochit? Even the motorcycle taxis demand 100 THB. Regular taxis won't do it, period.

 

In Lampang, there is a single taxi at the bus station. No, he won't use a meter. where is the DLT to ban rogue "taxis"?!?

[Thian]

11 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

All over Bangkok - its not just Westerners in Tourist areas who get fed up with this, the Thai forums are rife with complaints and anecdotes of how terrible the drivers are.... from aggressive driving, suggestive comments (to girls), to flat out rejections or over charging.... We (as westerners ) think we are treated poorly by Taxi drivers... the Thai's are often treated worse !!!... 

Guess you never come out of sukhumvit area...here in the subs i never had a taxi who refused the meter, they do sometimes refuse certain rides but it's easy to get another taxi.

 

 

[cracker1]

13 hours ago, Cadbury said:

Works famously in Vietnam. I use it all the time when I am there.

Works great in Cambodia also.

[andre47]

17 hours ago, ZeVonderBearz said:

Grab is the only viable option for local trasport in this country. 

I don't see any need for companies like Grab. They are extremely expensive, they are exploiting the drivers and they violate the law. It is unfair against the official taxi companies.

[Cadbury]

3 hours ago, Thian said:

Guess you never come out of sukhumvit area...here in the subs i never had a taxi who refused the meter, they do sometimes refuse certain rides but it's easy to get another taxi.

 

 

I was once told by a local Thai who lived in Soi 4 Nana never to hail a cab entering the Soi. Always take a cab exiting the Soi as more often than not they come from a different territory and just want to get out with a fare paying passenger.