Are drivers scamming you?

Eaglekott · October 25

Yesterday I took a taxi from home to Sukhumvit, I choose Taxi 130-171 Baht and it say meeter plus 20 Baht. The normal driver and economy were all busy.

My GPS said it would be a 45 min trip with tolls and 1h 5 min with out tolls.

I choose to use tolls. I thought 20 minutes faster could be worth 50 baht and I would be there in good time.

The app stated 171 baht when I started the trip. I was checking the GPS on the way and twice the taxi driver choose a path on the highway that added 15 minutes each to the estimated time. Then when we drove off the highway we ended up having to drive long i the direction towards Lumpini in very heavy basically standing still traffic and then u turn and go back. Totally the 45 minutes trip took 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Taxi driver even stopped by the road and bought some food from a street vendor. When I at last arrived very late he demanded 266 baht, instead of the 171 initially said by the application.

I have a feeling he intentionally took there longer slower routes to fuel the price. By the way so didn't he use the meeter in the Taxi, he just took the price from the app

Never before have I payed more than about 160 baht for this trip. I hope this was a one time experience.

Anyone else that has experienced this?

Yellowtail · October 25

Nope

Ralf001 · October 25

Nope

1FinickyOne · October 25

39 minutes ago, Eaglekott said:

Anyone else that has experienced this?

Inflation? Sure. Your was just more sudden...

it is what it is · October 25

life's too short.

Middle Aged Grouch · October 25

The only times when the Bolt drivers try to cheat is when they turn aroung and ask to pay extra that is not included on the app. I usually politely refuse and then complain against the crook on the application. Happened many times in Hua HIn where the Bolt drivers were now and them quite agressive and rude and never even bothered to get out an help to unload all the goods I usually had when comming back from the mall.

If not. these taxi apps are fare better then the taxi meter or tuk tuks that are plainy a mafia and a bunch of cheats in Thailand who nevertheless seem to have far to much support in many media.

rwill · October 26

I've never used bolt. But the couple of apps I have used. It shows the fare before you accept it. There would be no benefit for the driver to take a longer route. Of course these don't use meters, just a set fee.

UKJASE · October 26

is the fare the app gives u an estimation, or the exact price?

i have never used bolt, only grab

ChipButty · October 26

20 minutes ago, UKJASE said:

is the fare the app gives u an estimation, or the exact price?

i have never used bolt, only grab

I have used BOLT a few times, the price on the app is the price you pay

Hamus Yaigh · October 26

19 hours ago, Eaglekott said:

having to drive long i the direction towards Lumpini in very heavy basically standing still traffic and then u turn and go back.

If you get in a taxi with this kind of traffic what else do you expect?

richard_smith237 · October 26

7 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

If you get in a taxi with this kind of traffic what else do you expect?

Not to be taking extra KM's out of the way and to be charged more than the App states...

I think you missed that point.

richard_smith237 · October 26

19 hours ago, Eaglekott said:

Anyone else that has experienced this?

I avoid the 'regular taxi' option in these Apps as it then nudges us towards the privateers rather than regular taxi's, this helps avoid much of the BS and stunts a regular taxi driver attempts to pull - it's just in their blood !!!...

BUT... sometimes I found 'Thainess' to have slipped in... I book ride which is accepted, then don't see the vehicle moving for 5 mins or more... and I have to cancel.

I assume either driver took the ride while stopping off to eat and figured I'd wait for him.

OR, the driver didn't want the journey but has to accept as he is one of those nearby and as per their terms they have to accept so many rides that come up on their driver app - when they don't want the ride they just wait us out without moving forcing us to cancel.

In this case (with the Op) I suspect the Driver didn't know the area, ended up the wrong way, tried to recover... took longer then thought as the journey was longer he wanted more money.

I've just started using the premium options more to avoid the BS.

Hamus Yaigh · October 26

26 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

35 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

If you get in a taxi with this kind of traffic what else do you expect?

Not to be taking extra KM's out of the way and to be charged more than the App states...

I think you missed that point.

I did see the OP's point that the driver took an alternative route and even stopped off for his lunch on the way. Only the OP knows why and has the opportunity to review the ride after the fact in the Bolt online app. My point was anyone who gets a taxi in stand still traffic jams and rush hours is asking for higher billing.

georgegeorgia · October 26

1 hour ago, UKJASE said:

is the fare the app gives u an estimation, or the exact price?

i have never used bolt, only grab

Same drivers ,they use all apps

georgegeorgia · October 26

42 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

If you get in a taxi with this kind of traffic what else do you expect?

He used Bolt or Grab

The driver can't ask for more money

I had this in Pattaya recently

I ordered a BOLT it said it was a Mazda plate 3333 for example

Up pulls a Pattaya taxi , I said your not my Bolt he then says the registration number if the original car.

I jump on ,he says it's only 60 baht fare on BOLT ,I used to make 300 baht for same trip years ago he said

Ok said I'm sorry and immediately tipped him hugging him and kissing him

georgegeorgia · October 26

19 hours ago, Eaglekott said:

Yesterday I took a taxi from home to Sukhumvit, I choose Taxi 130-171 Baht and it say meeter plus 20 Baht. The normal driver and economy were all busy.

My GPS said it would be a 45 min trip with tolls and 1h 5 min with out tolls.

I choose to use tolls. I thought 20 minutes faster could be worth 50 baht and I would be there in good time.

The app stated 171 baht when I started the trip. I was checking the GPS on the way and twice the taxi driver choose a path on the highway that added 15 minutes each to the estimated time. Then when we drove off the highway we ended up having to drive long i the direction towards Lumpini in very heavy basically standing still traffic and then u turn and go back. Totally the 45 minutes trip took 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Taxi driver even stopped by the road and bought some food from a street vendor. When I at last arrived very late he demanded 266 baht, instead of the 171 initially said by the application.

I have a feeling he intentionally took there longer slower routes to fuel the price. By the way so didn't he use the meeter in the Taxi, he just took the price from the app

Never before have I payed more than about 160 baht for this trip. I hope this was a one time experience.

Anyone else that has experienced this?

That was a tip you paid then.

I take it you don't have the CARD payment system set up

You still pay CASH!!

Change it to the CARD

Liverpool Lou · October 26

20 hours ago, Eaglekott said:

Yesterday I took a taxi from home to Sukhumvit, I choose Taxi 130-171 Baht and it say meeter plus 20 Baht. The normal driver and economy were all busy.

My GPS said it would be a 45 min trip with tolls and 1h 5 min with out tolls.

I choose to use tolls. I thought 20 minutes faster could be worth 50 baht and I would be there in good time.

The app stated 171 baht when I started the trip. I was checking the GPS on the way and twice the taxi driver choose a path on the highway that added 15 minutes each to the estimated time. Then when we drove off the highway we ended up having to drive long i the direction towards Lumpini in very heavy basically standing still traffic and then u turn and go back. Totally the 45 minutes trip took 1 hour and 40 minutes.

Taxi driver even stopped by the road and bought some food from a street vendor. When I at last arrived very late he demanded 266 baht, instead of the 171 initially said by the application.

I have a feeling he intentionally took there longer slower routes to fuel the price. By the way so didn't he use the meeter in the Taxi, he just took the price from the app

Never before have I payed more than about 160 baht for this trip. I hope this was a one time experience.

Anyone else that has experienced this?

No, never. Rather than stewing about it here where no one can help you, the solution is to call Grab's help centre and give them your complaint if you feel that it is justified.

Liverpool Lou · October 26

19 hours ago, Middle Aged Grouch said:

never even bothered to get out an help to unload all the goods I usually had when comming back from the mall.

They're 'taxi' drivers, not personal butlers, why should they hump around all your shopping?

georgegeorgia · October 26

3 minutes ago, Liverpool Lou said:

No, never. Rather than stewing about it here where no one can help you, the solution is to call Grab's help centre and give them your complaint if you feel that it is justified.

Yes , but I believe he has a CASH payment system in place not that it matters

But...in Australia I was once charged MORE by Uber in busy traffic

They sent me a message saying the driver request more because of the traffic