‘Meter taxis only’ rule mooted for Phuket International Airport

[Lite Beer]

‘Meter taxis only’ rule mooted for Phuket International Airport
Prapaporn Jitmaneeyaphan

Sarayuth Mallum of the Phuket Tourist Association told the drivers present, ‘“You choose this career. You have to learn that every business has its own risks.’

PHUKET: New rules for Phuket International Airport, allowing meter taxis only to pick up customers from Phuket International Airport – with other taxis being allowed only to drop off customers – could be rolled out in about three month’s time, a meeting heard on Tuesday

Meter taxi fares, which have not changed in 10 years, could rise by as much as 50 per cent as part of the plan.

Earlier this month, Airport Director Pratueng Sornkham announced that only nine taxis from each of the two co-operatives would be allowed to come into the airport at any one time, and other drivers from those groups, will have to find somewhere to park their taxis outside the airport.

However, legitimate drivers The Phuket News spoke with said that they had received no information about new systems, policies or regulations, and that the free-for-all continued, with illegal “black” taxis having unfettered access.

But during Tuesday’s meeting at Phuket Provincial Hall, Chitpol Santhanakul of Airports of Thailand (AoT), which owns the airport, announced the plan whereby only meter taxis would be allowed to pick up customers from the airport.

The new prices are designed to entice green plate – or “limousine” – taxi drivers, to convert to meter taxis, V/Gov Jamroen said.

There are currently around 139 meter taxis on the island, but they have been marginalised at the airport by the powerful limousine co-operatives and are hard to find.

Running yesterday’s meeting was Vice-Governor Jamroen Thipphayapongtada, who said that under the AoT plan, limousine drivers would have a choice: install meters and be allowed in to pick up customers from the airport, or remain as limousines and be barred for picking up passengers from the arrivals hall.

“If you don’t want to change, no one is going to force you,” he told the four or five limousine drivers’ representatives at the meeting.

“But first, you have to think about the fact that meter taxi drivers can both pick up and drop off customers, and take them in two directions.

“When we have meter taxis at the airport, people will say things are convenient in Phuket, because you can travel by a meter taxi, which has a fair price,” V/Gov Jamroen said.

“Society can run smoothly if we all comply with regulations. Those who think it’s cool to be above the law – they’ve got it wrong.”

But the new plan for the meter taxis will also bring a price hike.

Meter taxi prices at the moment in Phuket are B50 for the first two kilometres, B7/km for the next 20 km and B6/km for any distance beyond that, plus a fixed service charge of B100 per trip.

Three plans are proposed under the fare hike, which is proposed in order to cover the increased costs of gasoline and labour on the island since 2003, when prices were last revised.

In all three proposals, the first two kilometres will cost B50, and a service charge of B100 remains unchanged.

Plan A would see a charge of B12/km beyond the first two kilometres.

Plan B would see a charge of B12/km beyond 2 km up to 15 kilometres, and B10/km beyond that.

Plan C would see taxis charging B11/km from the second kilometre to 22 kilometres and B9/km beyond that.

Mr Chitpol from AoT said, “I support the idea of new fares for meter taxis, but not Plan A. Plan B and C are fine.

“With regard to the control at the airport, we can confirm that in the future it will be much more strict, and there will be more laws to support us.

“In the future, if taxi drivers enter the airport when they are not allowed to, they could face criminal charges.”

When a green-plate “limousine” driver complained that he was losing money already and therefore opposed Plan C because it wouldn’t bring in enough money, Sarayuth Mallam, vice-president of the Phuket Tourist Association, snapped back, “When you are making big money, you keep quiet. You only speak out when you are no longer making big money.

“You choose this career. You have to learn that every business has its own risks. I understand the taxi situation as well because when I ask how many taxis there are in Phuket, there is no answer from the heavens, so we don’t know how much money the businesspeople [who own the taxis] earn.

“Why do we have to increase the price? Who is the person who really gets the advantage from this?” Mr Sarayuth asked.

Those at the meeting agreed eventually that Plan B was the best option – the Plan A was too expensive for passengers while Plan C was not fair on taxi drivers, because it was too cheap.

However, V/Gov Jamroen stressed that this was only a recommendation. The next step is for the plan to be approved by the Land Transport Department.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/%E2%80%98meter-taxis-only%E2%80%99-rule-mooted-for-phuket-international-airport-42095.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

-- Phuket News 2013-09-25

[NamKangMan]

“When we have meter taxis at the airport, people will say things are convenient in Phuket, because you can travel by a meter taxi, which has a fair price,” V/Gov Jamroen said. - NO.

"People will say things are convenient in Phuket" when there are metered taxis along the coast road between the beaches and/or a baht bus system, similar to Pattaya.

Until then, Phuket will remain inconvenient, and expensive for transport, and you will continue to lose "high end" tourists to other destinations in Thailand and neighbouring countries.

[Songhua]

All the hoo-ha and expense of fitting meters that they'll choose not to use anyway.

[NomadJoe]

"But first, you have to think about the fact that meter taxi drivers can both pick up and drop off customers, and take them in two directions."

If he is suggesting that this is true at present, he is very wrong. Metered taxi's face big problems with local tuk tuk co-ops if they dare pick up passengers outside the airport. If they would just modernize the whole system to allow this like in the world outside Phuket, they could reduce the overall fares and still allow drivers to increase their profits. But the drivers and the organisations they belong are far to greedy to try something as revolutionary as that!

[EvilDrSomkid]

I repeat: DO NOT GO TO PHUKET.

[Guest]

I start to like how the game is been played. Giving a carrot and stick at the same time will cause mixed feelings and there just might be more metered taxis after an while.

If I remember correctly the DSI office was setup to the airport, which is pretty good location to supervise what is happening in there.

[johnlandy]

I repeat: DO NOT GO TO PHUKET.

"DO NOT GO TO PHUKET"

Best advice on TV for months. BUT the question then is, where can you go in the realm where you are not gonna be screwed and ripped off.

[samuibruno]

why not go further and state/enforce that all taxis must use their metres

metred taxi stands everywhere

so people are assured that if they go there they will get a metred service

many hotels do this already as part of thier counter service

but anyway a great starting point [the airport and many peoples first impression are important ]

please please come to Samui soon

[Rinrada]

Read recently about the New Super Duper Bus Service that runs between Poo and Airport...

hows that working out and whats the damage?

Havnt been down that way in over 20 years (used to stay in X-pats hotel)and wifee has never actually been to the place so thinking about a quick looksee (got friend who has a hotel...havnt they all)....anyway...

[bangon04]

"PHUKET: New rules for Phuket International Airport, allowing meter taxis only to pick up customers from Phuket International Airport – with other taxis being allowed only to drop off customers – could be rolled out in about three month’s time, a meeting heard on Tuesday"

Well it doesn't happen in Bangkok even after many years. the touts are still operating, not to mention the AOT's own limo ripoff... so what on earth makes them think they can make it happen in Phuket?

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

"PHUKET: New rules for Phuket International Airport, allowing meter taxis only to pick up customers from Phuket International Airport – with other taxis being allowed only to drop off customers – could be rolled out in about three month’s time, a meeting heard on Tuesday"

Well it doesn't happen in Bangkok even after many years. the touts are still operating, not to mention the AOT's own limo ripoff... so what on earth makes them think they can make it happen in Phuket?

how is the TOT limo a ripoff. I am more than happy to pay for the service after a long flight, especially if i have a number of large bags.

I know any number of people who agree.

And grouse all you want, the touts are quite low key.

[stevenl]

Step by step by step it is going in the right direction.

[belg]

the new business will boom

the one for making the taxi meter to run faster .... special button, have seen it before

[stevenl]

I repeat: DO NOT GO TO PHUKET.

"DO NOT GO TO PHUKET"

Best advice on TV for months. BUT the question then is, where can you go in the realm where you are not gonna be screwed and ripped off.

Naw, people that don't know the island say that quite often here.

Bad advice.

[lee b]

yeah thailand, where metered taxis dont have meters. Meter no work sir...

[steelepulse]

So what is the punishment if the taxi refuses to use the meter, and so do the next 5 drivers when someone is wanting to go from the airport to their hotel at 1 am? I'd dare say nothing so use of the meter will only be used if they are set to make more than stating a flat rate, otherwise the meter will always be broken due to no penalty for not using them ( well there might be a penalty on the books, but is it enforced and if so, is the penalty harsh enough to make a difference?).