Bangkok: High fares for taxis, subway approved

[webfact]

High fares for taxis, subway approved

By Coconuts Bangkok

Photo: Christian Haugen

BANGKOK: -- Under pressure from drivers complaining of rising costs, the Transport Ministry has given a green light to increasing taxi fares.

In a session that also saw approval for higher subway prices, the ministry approved the first raise for taxi drivers in 22 years, which is expected to increase fares between 8 to 11 percent to offset the higher costs of living and energy prices.

"It's been around 22 years since the taxi fare was adjusted, Minister Prajin Juntong said Saturday. The new fare will be considered based on the costs of living and the drivers' net cost in order to help them earn more than a THB300 daily-profit.

For subway strap-hangers, a ticket to ride will increase by THB1 or 2 starting Jan. 1. Normally a biannually scheduled bump, a fare increase for the MRT subway system had been postponed earlier this year for the sake of "returning happiness by the junta. So be sure to top off that coin jar before New Years Day.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2014/09/29/high-fares-taxis-subway-approved

-- Coconuts Bangkok 2014-09-29

[baldingfatso]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

[robblok]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

I think the average Thai will have more problems as the average farang. However the inflation here is quite high.

[lopburi3]

The average farang can not afford some of the cheapest taxi fares in the world?

[NongKhaiKid]

I'm sure so many earn far more than a Bt300 a day profit with their illegal practices. Too much to hope I suppose that with increases fares goes increased enforcement.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

It is very affordable.

I am not rich, but comparing the same hikes from my K..a..n..a..d...aaaaa where public transport and taxis have gone up minimum 50% in the last 10 years alone, it is not that bad, really.....

U should celebratee it s only 11%

[jdinasia]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

You must be joking!!

[Sarathi]

taxi fares rose in 2007 - the 35 baht base rate stayed the same, but the cost/km rose, as did the idling charge.

Not complaining though. They're due a rise. Taxis are pretty good, when they agree to take you at all ....

[Chang_paarp]

This is a small start in what is needed for the taxi drivers. How they could live on the old fare structure is beyond me. 300B a day after expenses is not a lot for a 12 hour working day dealing with "the public". The cost of fuel will have gone up by more than that in the time since the fare structure was last addressed.

[baldingfatso]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

You must be joking!!

they are and if you say they arent you should have come here 5 years ago to see how things have changed.

[Thormaturge]

Where was Minister Prajin Juntong nine years ago when taxi fares were last increased?

The fare rise is long overdue whether nine or twenty-two years.

[Mango Bob]

Who the hell care what they charge, they don't want to take you to any destination they think will have some traffic. Saturday 6 taxis refused my wife to go to Mochit BTS from Kasetsart University. Law or no law they still refuse you.

[Triplebank999]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

It that's the case (which it isn't, of course) then Thailand is better off without you, sorry, without "the average farang".

[Triplebank999]

I'm sure so many earn far more than a Bt300 a day profit with their illegal practices. Too much to hope I suppose that with increases fares goes increased enforcement.

"I'm sure so many earn far more than a Bt300 a day profit with their illegal practices."

What you should have referred to was the illegal practices of a very small minority but that would go against your practice of bashing Thais and Thailand at every opportunity, wouldn't it?

[binnsy1]

taxi fares rose in 2007 - the 35 baht base rate stayed the same, but the cost/km rose, as did the idling charge.

Not complaining though. They're due a rise. Taxis are pretty good, when they agree to take you at all ....

Getting them to use the METER is the hard thing

[NongKhaiKid]

I'm sure so many earn far more than a Bt300 a day profit with their illegal practices. Too much to hope I suppose that with increases fares goes increased enforcement.

"I'm sure so many earn far more than a Bt300 a day profit with their illegal practices."

What you should have referred to was the illegal practices of a very small minority but that would go against your practice of bashing Thais and Thailand at every opportunity, wouldn't it?

Unfortuntely the National Health Service wouldn't pay for rose coloured specs identical to yours. Incidentally please do not presume to tell me what I should have referred to, stick to your own biased posting.

[binnsy1]

If only they would use the bloody things all the time

[draftvader]

Raise the fares (I'm completely behind this as a taxi user) but also ensure that standards are maintained for drivers and cars. I don't mind paying 10% more but I need to see working seatbelts and a clear gap to the car in front.

[Sarathi]

taxi fares rose in 2007 - the 35 baht base rate stayed the same, but the cost/km rose, as did the idling charge.

Not complaining though. They're due a rise. Taxis are pretty good, when they agree to take you at all ....

Getting them to use the METER is the hard thing

Really?

My biggest problem is they simply refuse to take me.

Guess it depends where you embark and go to.

[Tham1]

most taxi drivers are <deleted> and dont deserve a job.

[windbreaker]

most taxi drivers are <deleted> and dont deserve a job.

What an inane and stupid comment

[SoiBiker]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

You must be joking!!

they are and if you say they arent you should have come here 5 years ago to see how things have changed.

You should take a trip back to farangland and see how expensive things have got - Thailand is still a bargain by comparison, and a 10% bump on a dirt cheap taxi fare isn't going to change that.

[Chicog]

I think the topic title should say "HighER".

[iReason]

Get rid of the mafia extorting the drivers and the moto-taxis.

And then perhaps, they'll keep more in their pockets...

Edited September 29, 2014 by iReason

[EricBerg]

I'm sure so many earn far more than a Bt300 a day profit with their illegal practices. Too much to hope I suppose that with increases fares goes increased enforcement.

I really think the cabs still will be very cheap, And my impression is that far most drivers switch on the meter and do not make detours to raise the price. I only seldomly have to ask for the meter to be switched on and almost never am refused coz of "end of shift/then too far" reasons. One should keep seeing things in perspective. The bad guys are small in numbers. If one's surrounding is Pattaya I can imagine the numbers are bigger, But overall Thais are good. If one focusses on the bad it will appear huge. It's not all Koh Tao.

[jdinasia]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

You must be joking!!

they are and if you say they arent you should have come here 5 years ago to see how things have changed.

have lived here since 2003 & visited since 1997. If Thailand isn't affordable you might want to try living in a park back home.

[Tham1]

most taxi drivers are <deleted> and dont deserve a job.

What an inane and stupid comment

thanks

[jdinasia]

thailand is no longer affordable to the average farang they are raising prices on everything.

You must be joking!!

they are and if you say they arent you should have come here 5 years ago to see how things have changed.

You should take a trip back to farangland and see how expensive things have got - Thailand is still a bargain by comparison, and a 10% bump on a dirt cheap taxi fare isn't going to change that.

just back from the US. The taxi ride home from Swampy cost $6.. From LaGuardia $50...

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Taxi drivers deserve to make a decent wage... But also, they ought to be required to provide a decent service, which too many of them don't currently do.

Unfortunately, the government official's comment in the OP reflects the idea of give them the fee increase now/first, and THEN require that they meet service standards. But in the real world, what everyone here ought to know is the industry will get the fee increase. But then the notion of meeting service standards will get lost in the shuffle.

Does anyone really think that a 10% meter fee increase is going to stop the many taxi drivers who currently try to avoid taking meter fares, or those who outright refuse fares when they think there's too much traffic or the location is one they don't want to go? And does anyone really think the government is going to do anything seriously to remedy those abuses?

Indeed, Thailand probably has one of the most economical meter taxi rates in the developed world. And yet, on my soi in Bangkok, there isn't a single taxi that inhabits my soi that will take a meter fare. Every single one of them will ONLY take priced fares aimed at ripping off unsuspecting or uncaring tourists.

So how about as an alternative, the taxi drivers get their fee increase AFTER non-meter trip demands and arbitrary driver trip refusals are halted.

[tgeezer]

Well I am glad that the fares are going up, unhappy taxi drivers can spoil a day, fares will still be very cheap compared to the UK.