Bolt Taxi in Pattaya

[Danderman123]

Despite the brief crackdown, Bolt is thriving in Pattaya. Weekend nights are problematic, so I try not go out then.

 

Some Bolt drivers seem to be idiots. The most common trick is to accept a ride request when they are on a one way street going the wrong way. This may require 10 minutes of driving before they can pick me up.

 

It is very common for Bolt drivers not be able to read a map.

 

Occassionally a Bolt driver will accept a ride request when they are at home, and then forget to actually go to their car and drive.

 

 

 

 

[Doctor Tom]

So largely a waste of space then? No point in using a new taxi app, if the drivers are idiots and/or unreliable, and not available at peak times when customers need them .  

[hotandsticky]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

So largely a waste of space then? No point in using a new taxi app, if the drivers are idiots and/or unreliable, and not available at peak times when customers need them .  

 

 

Everything is relative.

[pomchop]

never had a bad experience with any bolt driver in past 3 months

[Jingthing]

Bolt has been great for me but I'm not a frequent user and haven't tried since the crackdown.

[1FinickyOne]

In the world that I live - - being a taxi driver does not necessarily translate to a job w/people having the highest IQ... of course there are exceptions. 

 

Though I do not expect that to be one of the drivers expected talents... you might want to ask them where the best noodle soup can be found... or a ... 

[Mickeymaus]

21 minutes ago, pomchop said:

never had a bad experience with any bolt driver in past 3 months

Me too because I did not use them ????

[Doctor Tom]

27 minutes ago, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Everything is relative.

Relative to what, an efficient and reliable  service from a taxi app? There is far too much competition out there for any company to rely on reviews being relative.  

[Phoenix Rising]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Relative to what, an efficient and reliable  service from a taxi app? There is far too much competition out there for any company to rely on reviews being relative.  

What competition does Bolt have?

I have used Bolt many times and despite the odd negative experience it's WAAAAAY better than the alternative ("metered" taxis and "motosay" mob).

[Hanuman2547]

I would always choose a Bolt car over a so called "metered" taxi.  

[hotandsticky]

42 minutes ago, Doctor Tom said:

Relative to what, an efficient and reliable  service from a taxi app? There is far too much competition out there for any company to rely on reviews being relative.  

 

I have found Bolt to be very effective, only one failure - soon ordered another.

 

I hate the taxi mafia around Pattaya but I will use a local guy for longer journeys.

[Guderian]

I use Bolt quite a lot, and they do have some problems. Their app points the driver down a dead-end street rather than into the village where I live, which has caused a lot of problems. Then as the OP says, often a driver accepts the fare but stays where he or she is, maybe finishing up their Pad Thai, I don't know, but I give them a few minutes and if they're still not moving then I cancel it. Just leave plenty of time is my advice, it's far from perfect but you'll get there in the end, cheaply and safely, if you have a bit of patience.

[lor]

I use Bolt all the time. Arrives within 2 to 3 minutes and much cheaper than all other alternatives. The driver has always known how to get to where I want to go. Maybe I have just been lucky but all my Thai friends use Bolt as well.

[HappyExpat57]

I found myself a good Bolt driver then got her personal number which I call any time I need a taxi. Bolt takes an inordinate share of the fee. It didn't hurt that she is also easy on the eyes.  ????

[Toby1947]

5 hours ago, 1FinickyOne said:

In the world that I live - - being a taxi driver does not necessarily translate to a job w/people having the highest IQ... of course there are exceptions. 

 

Though I do not expect that to be one of the drivers expected talents... you might want to ask them where the best noodle soup can be found... or a ... 

What a ridiculous statement, ever hear of the London black cab knowledge this takes years of studying to achieve a license. Something I doubt a cleaver Dick like you would be likely to achieve 

[jacko45k]

6 hours ago, Danderman123 said:

It is very common for Bolt drivers not be able to read a map.

They make all manner of excuses..... bad GPS info  common.

[1FinickyOne]

55 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

What a ridiculous statement, ever hear of the London black cab knowledge this takes years of studying to achieve a license. Something I doubt a cleaver Dick like you would be likely to achieve 

yo Wally - I did say there were exceptions... though based on your comprehension... 

[KhunBENQ]

58 minutes ago, Toby1947 said:

What a ridiculous statement, ever hear of the London black cab knowledge this takes years of studying to achieve a license.

Good for you. Enjoy London.

Here a BOLT qualifies by being able to handle two mobile devices for navigation and handling next job at the same time while at the wheel like I experienced in Phuket.

The Phuket BOLD experience was bad both ways. On return I got nervous to miss my flight because I was arsed for 20 min.

My friend in Jomtien though never complained.

[PoorSucker]

My only problem is that the app says 2min but they always arrive in 30 sec. 

 

[Guderian]

Last night (Saturday), we decided to eat at the Robin Hood Tavern in the Avenue, so I tried Bolt but the prices were very high compared with normal and the waiting times very long (this was around 7:30 PM). In the end, I settled on the Economy option but as soon as I pressed Confirm the app told me that all the cars were booked, so not much use. I switched to Grab, and not only were their prices lower than Bolt but a car arrived within 10 minutes. The return journey two hours later was easier, much less waiting and cheaper fares. I went for the Luxury option and got a Mazda CX-5 (I'd have preferred a Merc, lol) for the same price I paid for a Honda City from Grab, but that seems to be a reflection of the time you're trying to book a car rather than anything else, as on the journey to the Avenue Grab's fares  had actually been cheaper than Bolt's quotes. I must download that third app and give them a go as well, does anyone remember what it's called?

Edited December 18, 2022 by Guderian

[TheAppletons]

inDrive, perhaps?

[JackGats]

Much, much worse in Bangkok. I couldn't get a single Bolt to come to this area (Sukhumvit Soi 11). And not a single taxi here accepts to use the meter.

 

A taxi I bargained down to 100 Baht to bring me to the Makkasan Airport Link maliciously dropped me in the middle of nowhere (a fish market). I had to pay a tuk-tuk 350 Baht to get me out of there. The hotel has a shuttle tuk-tuk to Nana BTS but surprise surprise, the shuttle is "out of order" they said. The hotel has a "transport service" but this only serves to add another scamming layer (I was quoted 2500 Baht for a death trap minivan one-way ride to Hua-Hin!).

 

Bangkok will never see me again, not even for a single day, if I can help it.

[Guderian]

23 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

inDrive, perhaps?

Thanks.

[NONG CHOK]

I've never had any problems using Bolt in Pattaya but I've learn't one thing. That is never call a Bolt taxi in a crowded area. Because as they're unmarked, you can't see them and how do they know who ordered their cab. So just walk around any corner to an area where it's no parking or the people are scattered and you will be picked up promptly.

[Phoenix Rising]

36 minutes ago, TheAppletons said:

inDrive, perhaps?

Googled it and it looks like they only operate in Pukhet.

[Phoenix Rising]

3 minutes ago, NONG CHOK said:

I've never had any problems using Bolt in Pattaya but I've learn't one thing. That is never call a Bolt taxi in a crowded area. Because as they're unmarked, you can't see them and how do they know who ordered their cab. So just walk around any corner to an area where it's no parking or the people are scattered and you will be picked up promptly.

You always get the make, model, colour and license plate number of the car/motorbike when the ride is confirmed so that's never been an issue for me.

Edited December 18, 2022 by Phoenix Rising

[NONG CHOK]

1 minute ago, Phoenix Rising said:

You always get the make, model, colour and license plate number of the car when the ride is confirmed so that's never been an issue for me.

Getting away from a crowd makes it a lot easier.

[TheAppletons]

15 hours ago, Phoenix Rising said:

Googled it and it looks like they only operate in Pukhet.

  Also in Chiang Mai and Bangkok.  We use it in CM often.

 

  Odd that they would be in CM, BKK, and Phuket but not in Pattaya....then again, there are so many local fiefdoms in Thailand, who knows.

Edited December 18, 2022 by TheAppletons

[Salerno]

3 hours ago, JackGats said:

(Sukhumvit Soi 11). And not a single taxi here accepts to use the meter.

Wander down to Sukhumvit and flag one down, I never bother with taxis sitting waiting (unless official taxi rank in other areas) especially in Soi 11.

[Onerak]

"InDrive" is it a new taxi hailing service? Is it available in Pattaya? Grab prices in Pattaya are more than bolt but accepts CC whereas bolt is only cash. My max bolt charge for a month in Pattaya was approximately 6,000 baht and the minimum as 2,000 baht. I use bolt for all my travels inside Pattaya. Wanted to buy or rent a car, but found bolt is far cheaper that any other alternatives for in-town travel. 

Edited December 18, 2022 by Onerak