'Significant' reduction in tourist taxi complaints, says Phuket's head of transport

[webfact]

'Significant' reduction in tourist taxi complaints, says Phuket's head of transport
Suthicha Sirirat

PHUKET: -- Phuket's Transportation Department has noticed a significant reduction in the number of tourists complaining about taxis during their time on the island, the head of the organisation has announced.

Teerayut Prasertpon, the head of the Phuket Transportation Department, said that since the department took over management of the island's taxis - including trying to control Phuket's illegal black plate taxis - in 2012, there had been a signifcant reduction in the number of complaints.

Complaints covered just about everything - including drivers leaving tourists stranded, overcharging, and cases of assault from drivers.

"All in all, the overall picture of the taxi industry is a lot better," Mr Terrayut said.

In the past, there were 2,882 black plate taxis operating, but now around 1500 of these had become registered and were now operating as legal green plates.

"Even if there's some black plate taxi drivers that still haven't registered to be legal, they are not too difficult to deal with because the police will charge them immediately."

In the future, Phuket International Airport will manage the taxis in the area. Those with larger engines will turn into green-plates, while those with smaller engines will turn into meter taxis. There are now 30 meter taxis working at the airport. In two or three years, authorities believe this will increase to around 300.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/significant-reduction-in-tourist-taxi-complaints-says-phukets-head-of-transport-45560.php


-- Phuket News 2014-04-07

[howzat]

Maybe because there is a significant reduction in tourists due to Yingbadluck and her band of no hopers playing their personal games for their personal gains

[AhFarangJa]

Maybe because there is a significant reduction in tourists due to Yingbadluck and her band of no hopers playing their personal games for their persona

Pipped me at the post there Howzat.....

[alfalfa19]

Also, they probably significantly reduced the hours during which they answer the phone to receive complaints. I believe this guy is a delusionoid or a bald faced liar.

[eezergood]

Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.......

[Travel Dude]

Those red tuk tuk in patong and other beaches are maybe legal but they are still overcharging scumbags. Can't this Phuket Transportation office just set fixed prices???

[FireMedic]

Thainess 101:

Phuket official: "How do we control the numbers of complaints around the island? There are too many and we don't actually want to change any of the day to day money making scams businesses. Any good ideas and you will be promoted.

Phuket complaints department: "We could no show up to work or not answer phones!! That way no one could actually file a complaint or call and complain."

Phuket official: "Excellent thinking young man. You will be Governor some day. Great thinking like this will surely get your career and the image of Phuket on track right away."

[Maroon Watcher]

...and maybe tourists who venture here are hardy and scam aware.

But look at it from an environmental view - why should a taxi/TUT-TUT driver ride around all day in nice air con for a reasonible wage + extra tip

(Especially if they get of their arse and help a visitor!)...

when they can just laze in the shade until a Fresh tourist gives then 1/2 days wage in 1/2 hour.

Think green - Zero energy emitted

(More Unhappy tourists...)

[Halion]

A few black taxi's however the police will charge them immediately ? Does he understand what immediately means and if he does then why are they still there?

Or is he simply full of it.

[NamKangMan]

A lot of tourists to Phuket now are using coach buses, which are included as part of their package holiday.

[LivinginKata]

A lot of tourists to Phuket now are using coach buses, which are included as part of their package holiday.

Yes indeed, and many are renting even more m/bikes and cars. All in any sort of effort to avoid taking a tuk Tuk or taxi.

[MarkCyr]

Now lets hear some statistics from an independent agency, instead of from the people who run the thing and benefit from positive results reporting.

[NamKangMan]

A lot of tourists to Phuket now are using coach buses, which are included as part of their package holiday.

Yes indeed, and many are renting even more m/bikes and cars. All in any sort of effort to avoid taking a tuk Tuk or taxi.

"All in any sort of effort to avoid taking a tuk Tuk or taxi." - let's not forget the obvious, and most serious, consumer adaptation to the problem - many are simply not coming here anymore.

[NamKangMan]

Now lets hear some statistics from an independent agency, instead of from the people who run the thing and benefit from positive results reporting.

They are probably correct. I would not be surprised if taxi complaints are down, and that's simply because taxi passengers are down, for the reasons given in some posts above.

[hawker9000]

OH, so they've found a new alternative to the tired old "crackdown" announcements. Now, it's "no complaints anymore!" The wicked witch (i.e., the taxi mafia) is dead! Lol. Sure. Why I think I'll run right out and buy my tix for Phuket right away, before the rush starts! 55555555555 Seriously, that ol' boy is a genius! Not only has he driven the complaint rate down, but he's saving his department a fortune on salaries. He just tumbled to the realization that all you really need is a single unanswered phone, that either rings incessantly or is busy (when somebody gets tired of the noise and knocks it off the hook). There are certainly bigger things in SOMEbody's future!

[belg]

complaints, directly trashed into bin, no follow up,

hey we got few complaints