Bangkok Launches First 'smart' Taxi Stand

[george]

City launches first 'smart' taxi stand

BANGKOK: -- The first "smart" taxi stand has gone into operation in the city.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday chaired the project launch at a hypermarket on Phahon Yothin road.

The scheme is part of the city's smart traffic system, and is intended to enhance commuter convenience and keep taxi drivers from wasting fuel by driving around town looking for passengers.

Instead of hailing a taxi on the pavement, a passenger steps into an arch-roofed stand and pushes a green button. A signal is transmitted to a control centre which will ask taxi service providers to dispatch a taxi to the stand. As the passenger waits, information will appear on a monitor screen giving the licence plate number of the coming taxi and estimated arrival time.

Mr Apirak said every taxi will be installed with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device. This will enable passengers who leave their belongings in taxi cabs to track down the vehicles. The system covers the installation of traffic signs, smart bus stops and pedestrian crossings.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said ESFAME Engineering has been hired to run the project under a three-year contract. Across the city, 150 stands will be set up by November. Five more will be put up this month.

--Bangkok Post 2005-08-27

[taxexile]

sound like a complicated solution to a problem that never existed.

installing smart taxi drivers who know the street layout of the city , and getting rid of the taxi touts who hang around outside hotels and restaurants might be a more efficient way of making life easier for passengers.

[buadhai]

sound like a complicated solution to a problem that never existed.

installing smart taxi drivers who know the street layout of the city , and getting rid of the taxi touts who hang around outside hotels and restaurants might be a more efficient way of making life easier for passengers.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But, that would make sense....

[taxexile]

yes , you're right.

so instead of standing by the road , wiggling my finger and then within 15 seconds sitting in a cab on my way , i should

Instead of hailing a taxi on the pavement, a passenger steps into an arch-roofed stand and pushes a green button. A signal is transmitted to a control centre which will ask taxi service providers to dispatch a taxi to the stand. As the passenger waits, information will appear on a monitor screen giving the licence plate number of the coming taxi and estimated arrival time.

why didnt i think of that !!

[Thetyim]

[kidtongue]

City launches first 'smart' taxi stand

BANGKOK: -- The first "smart" taxi stand has gone into operation in the city.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday chaired the project launch at a hypermarket on Phahon Yothin road.

The scheme is part of the city's smart traffic system, and is intended to enhance commuter convenience and keep taxi drivers from wasting fuel by driving around town looking for passengers.

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Absolutely. WE can organize just like Singapore and queue the passengers, and better yet...send them off in search of a ride.

**************************************************************

Instead of hailing a taxi on the pavement, a passenger steps into an arch-roofed stand and pushes a green button. A signal is transmitted to a control centre which will ask taxi service providers to dispatch a taxi to the stand. As the passenger waits, information will appear on a monitor screen giving the licence plate number of the coming taxi and estimated arrival time.

Mr Apirak said every taxi will be installed with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device. This will enable passengers who leave their belongings in taxi cabs to track down the vehicles. The system covers the installation of traffic signs, smart bus stops and pedestrian crossings.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said ESFAME Engineering has been hired to run the project under a three-year contract. Across the city, 150 stands will be set up by November. Five more will be put up this month.

--Bangkok Post 2005-08-27

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Technology triumphs once again, investing in training machines, not people. Granted most know how to get where you want to go, unless unless it happens to be rushing off to a meeting at 2:30 in the afternoon and the driver just came on shift from Udon. And while they're at it, it would be nice if they would open the complaint phone lines so that you could actually call and speak to someone while getting the runaround. And while we're on this, what happened to training the taxi drivers in English?

[bino]

A system like this has been working in Singapore for a long time. The difference is that in Singapore you must put money in the machine to call the taxi, and pay the callout surcharge to the driver who picks you up. It can be a lifesaver in Singapore when it is raining or rush hour!

It works well in Singapore because it is a paid service. The driver has some incentive to accept the GPS calls and ensure they pick up the passenger who is willing to pay the premium fare.

I can just imagine some driver getting a GPS call- then seeing another passenger with their finger out on the side of the road and blowing off the GPS fare who will be standing around like an idiot waiting for his taxi.

To be fair- I can see the cab drivers getting scr*wed also- someone pushing the button and then taking the next cab that comes along........

[Joey Boy]

so this is going to stop the drivers showing up and asking for 3 times what the fares supposed to be?? Then deciding they dont want to take you coz yer going 1km out of their way

[ovenman]

installing smart taxi drivers who know the street layout of the city , and getting rid of the taxi touts who hang around outside hotels and restaurants might be a more efficient way of making life easier for passengers.

Certainly, but what you suggest does not involve the purchase of undoubtedy overpriced electronic gadgetry from some pooyai's cousin's consulting firm.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said ESFAME Engineering has been hired to run the project under a three-year contract. Across the city, 150 stands will be set up by November. Five more will be put up this month.

Like these folks.

[armortec]

Is it so difficult to hail a taxi here? I can pick and choose the condition of the taxi in most areas. This system will be doomed.

Edited August 29, 2005 by armortec

[kapilkatiyar]

Yeah it's good to hear that passenger's and the taxi driver's dont have to take much of pain now.Installing a GPS and tracking is a good idea,but apart from that people who have their own car they can also navigate themselves by Car Navigation System using the digital map of thailand on a small handheld device and can navigate themselves by routing and voice enabled functions.

I am using a ABLE ITS car navigation system and it's the best product i have ever used in Navigation softwares,I hope that people should also realize the need not a luxury and can impliment those feautes in comming days....

Cheers...

kapil bangkok

City launches first 'smart' taxi stand

BANGKOK: -- The first "smart" taxi stand has gone into operation in the city.

Bangkok Governor Apirak Kosayodhin yesterday chaired the project launch at a hypermarket on Phahon Yothin road.

The scheme is part of the city's smart traffic system, and is intended to enhance commuter convenience and keep taxi drivers from wasting fuel by driving around town looking for passengers.

Instead of hailing a taxi on the pavement, a passenger steps into an arch-roofed stand and pushes a green button. A signal is transmitted to a control centre which will ask taxi service providers to dispatch a taxi to the stand. As the passenger waits, information will appear on a monitor screen giving the licence plate number of the coming taxi and estimated arrival time.

Mr Apirak said every taxi will be installed with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device. This will enable passengers who leave their belongings in taxi cabs to track down the vehicles. The system covers the installation of traffic signs, smart bus stops and pedestrian crossings.

Deputy Bangkok Governor Samart Ratchapolsitte said ESFAME Engineering has been hired to run the project under a three-year contract. Across the city, 150 stands will be set up by November. Five more will be put up this month.

--Bangkok Post 2005-08-27

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>