Metered Taxi Co-Op Moves To Boost Fleet At Phuket Airport

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Metered taxi co-op moves to boost fleet at Phuket Airport

Phuket Gazette

The Phuket Taxi Meter Service Co Ltd is asking to add 30 more cars to the 80 they already have stationed at the airport. Photo: Gazette file

Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada used the meeting to outline some of the basic standards necessary to help clean up the image of Phuket’s taxi drivers. Photo: Atchaa Khamlo

PHUKET: -- The Phuket Taxi Meter (PTM) Service Co Ltd yesterday filed an official request to add 30 cars to their fleet of 80 metered taxis at Phuket International Airport.

The move to boost the fleet at the airport comes as part of the company’s negotiations to renew its concession. PTM’s current concession is set to expire on September 30.

PTM, one of three taxi companies that serve passengers at the airport, claims that the current number of metered taxis available is unable to meet demand, as five to 10 cars are under repair daily.

“All taxis at the airport should be metered taxis in order to create a recognized standard for their management,” said Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) chief Teerayut Prasertpol.

Phuket Vice Governor Chamroen Tipayapongtada used the meeting as an opportunity to outline a code of conduct and basic standards with which the company needed to comply.

“The quality of the cars being used as taxis at the airport must be improved. The drivers should also have polite manners and be well dressed,” said V/Gov Chamroen.

The current fare for metered cabs leaving the airport is a base fee of 150 baht and they charge 7 baht per kilometer from the second kilometer to the 20th. After the 20th kilometer, the charge falls to 6 baht per kilometer.

A metered taxi from the airport to Patong should cost about 450 baht.

However, the Tourist Police representative at the meeting, Capt Siramed Thanaphansiri, alleged that the metered taxis were often overcharging passengers.

“Measures must be taken to prevent metered taxi drivers from charging their passengers an extra 200 to 300 baht per trip,” he said.

But Dulyatham Rawungdee, a representative from Airports of Thailand (AOT), the public company that operates Phuket Airport, denied that there was an issue with metered taxis overcharging at the airport.

“We have not received complaints of metered taxi drivers charging more than the price on the meter,” he said.

“Of course, if we do get complaints, we will inform the PLTO, so they can warn the offenders or – in case of repeat offenders – even consider cancelling the registration of the offending driver’s car,” he added.

V/G Chamroen also used the meeting to voice the complaints of “lots” of private organizations about the entrance to the airport being clogged by taxis.

“Even the hallway, where people are waiting for passengers, is crowded with taxi drivers, tour agencies and people picking up their friends – it’s chaotic,” he said.

“The airport needs to fix the problem, because it is the first impression tourists have of Phuket,” he added.

The meeting concluded with Mr Dulyatham agreeing to send a report that included the suggestions presented to the AOT head office on Bangkok.

When the report is returned to the Phuket International Airport it will be handed over to Phuket Governor Tri Augkaradacha before the committee and the PLTO will be able to decide if the extra 30 metered taxis are necessary.

Source: http://www.phuketgaz...ticle16138.html

-- Phuket Gazette 2012-06-08

[Lannatyne]

Yes. Airport arrivals is a total mess. First impressions are one of utter chaos, confusion and concern.

Any of them have the cajones to sort it out? Doubt it.

[NomadJoe]

I wonder if there will be gun play from one of the 2 limo companies again, like when the metered taxi's first started.

Yes. Airport arrivals is a total mess. First impressions are one of utter chaos, confusion and concern.

I think it gives the impression of circling vultures. Before you even get to the curb you are asked "Do you need taxi" about 10 times, and the more annoying "Where you go?" at least 5 times. None of your GD business is where I am going.

The metered taxi's are not allowed in the entry hall, and their kiosk is hidden around the corner. This was part of the agreement with the 2 limo companies in order to keep them from blockading the airport or taking more serious steps to protect their monopoly. Some more metered taxi's would be welcome as their are currently so few that you will often have to wait for one to arrive.

The two "limo" companies that charge about twice what the metered taxi's do claim they have to charge that much to cover the fees they pay to PIA. Then I suggest they put meters in all their "limousines". Metered taxi's are considered public and don't pay concession fees. (Well, not officially)

Of course the real problem is that due to the various transport mafia's on Phuket, no taxi or tuk tuk anywere on the island, whether limo or metered, is allowed to pick up passengers for the return leg of the journey without risking retribution from whatever local tuk tuk/taxi mafia claims ownership of that piece of turf. So customers are essentially having to pay double. Overcoming that one issue would make the biggest difference in bringing down fares.

Edited June 8, 2012 by NomadJoe

[robanywhere]

If I'm not renting a car at Budget or Avis, I *ALWAYS* take a metered taxi at the airport to my Surin/Bangtao condo. Sometimes the taxi queu is 30 min or more, but it's worth it IMHO.

The fare is usually about 200 to 250 baht, on the meter, never any hassle. I usually get the guy's number and arrange for him to pick me up again in a few day's time (you cannot request taxi pickup from the company phoneline). And I've *never* been cheated by the taxis.

Compare that to 450 baht by airport "limo" or the 500+ baht via the gypsy taxis.

It's a no brainer.

RIP tuktuks.

Edited June 8, 2012 by robanywhere

[sportsman69]

“We have not received complaints of metered taxi drivers charging more than the price on the meter,” he said.

Of course not. How can you complain about the disparity if they wont turn the meter on in the first place. Duh !

[thaicbr]

I would be more worried about the "5 to 10 cars are being repaired each day "quote that's out of only 80 car's ... jeeze they MUST be heaps.

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