Thai editorial: Metered taxis can be a menace too

[webfact]

EDITORIAL
Metered taxis can be a menace too
The Nation

Banning apps like Uber won't solve Bangkok cab users' transport woes

BANGKOK: -- Not everyone is successful hailing a Bangkok cab, and that's why the capital's taxi service can't be hailed a success. People frequently complain about poor service, with the most commonly held wish being the ability to get a ride when they need it. Unfortunately, so far, no government has come up with effective measures that would grant them that wish.

Taxis top the list of complaints about transport services this year.

Rants by frustrated passengers have become common on the social media. The anger level hits a peak during rush hour, when choosy cabbies will often just say "no" to would-be passengers. Among their excuses are "got to fill up the gas", "on my way home" and "traffic's too bad". Sometimes they don't even bother to give an explanation.

If you do get a ride, you face another set of risks. The guy behind the wheel can behave like he's driving a racing car. Or, if the traffic is very heavy, he might decide to harass the passenger. Some passengers are glad when the cabby merely asks for a big tip.

Taxi troubles have opened the way for an alternative. A new service "sneaked" onto the road in February. Despite being nicknamed "Uber taxi", it has positioned itself as a tech company. Uber boasts that its smartphone app connects passengers and drivers at the tap of a button. It's pricier than a metered taxi, but users are willing to pay more for the added convenience. Uber has spread to about 250 cities around the world, customers appreciating a service that guarantees a clean car in roadworthy condition, whenever they want it. But, after serving Thai users for 10 months, the service has been declared illegal by authorities here.

Land Transport Department chief Teerapong Rodpradert said that, since its drivers aren't licensed to drive public transport, Uber's service put users at risk. Thus it could not be registered. He also said it discriminates against consumers without credit cards since cash payments are not accepted.

Some countries have banned Uber over fears that it threatens the status of their existing taxi services. But, though it has fought legal battles for official recognition elsewhere, Uber has so far preferred not to confront Thai authorities. A message on its Twitter account reads: "We respect and welcome the opportunity to engage with the relevant authorities to help them better understand the value we bring to the transportation ecosystem of Thailand."

The argument over whether Uber constitutes a taxi service is a hot one. Some say the issue has nothing to do with taxis, while others - especially the users - argue that it directly linked with the poor quality of the existing metered service.

The lack of registration has sparked concern that Uber could be exploited for criminal ends. Meanwhile credit-card payment bars many from using the service. Still, some believe Uber is a good alternative to Thailand's taxi service. "We all look for a bargain, but why are people willing to pay more in this case? Someone should figure it out," prompts a Facebook page called "Voice of Passengers".

As well as seeking answers to that question, the authorities might ask themselves why people are willing to "risk" using an unregistered service. What is wrong with the metered taxis? If the existing service were satisfactory, there would be no room for Uber. Banning Uber by saying it violates the law was easy. Meanwhile improving the existing taxi service seems to be as difficult as trying to hail a cab during rush hour. But improving that situation is where authorities need to focus their efforts.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/opinion/Metered-taxis-can-be-a-menace-too-30249044.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-03

[recycled]

That should read 'are a menace too.'

[LuckyLew]

Thousands upon thousands of taxis in Bangkok

The few that actually take you where you want to go should sign up and become UBER drivers

Bangkok needs a service like this ir grab taxi, this way people can get a ride to where they want to go with no hassles

Wiating out in the sun and the heat trying to get a so called taxi to where you want to go is an awful experience

Was outside of Indra Square the other day and 10 taxis stopped then refused when I told them my destination ....

UBER and Grab taxi are just what the doctor ordered ... a ride when you need it

[whybother]

Thousands upon thousands of taxis in Bangkok

The few that actually take you where you want to go should sign up and become UBER drivers

Bangkok needs a service like this ir grab taxi, this way people can get a ride to where they want to go with no hassles

Wiating out in the sun and the heat trying to get a so called taxi to where you want to go is an awful experience

Was outside of Indra Square the other day and 10 taxis stopped then refused when I told them my destination ....

UBER and Grab taxi are just what the doctor ordered ... a ride when you need it

Grab Taxi hasn't been banned because they use licenced taxis.

[razer]

A few days ago left the Intercontinental Hotel on Suk around 12 midnight after a cigar and whiskey with a friend. Nothing but scum type taxi drivers and tuk-tukl drivers hanging around the hotel. I live 1 kilometer from the hotel and was quoted prices from 100BHT to 250BHT with zero traffic. Disgusting. Normally I would walk, but I don't feel safe walking in BKK at night.

[jaltsc]

"Banning apps like Uber won't solve Bangkok cab users' transport woes..."

This isn't an issue of taxis. This is an issue of the acceptance of cheating and corruption throughout a society. One person might complain about not getting honest service from a cab driver, but sees no problem in passing off a defective product when it benefits him, or voting for a corrupt politician who serves his interests. We read a story and feel good about a cab driver who returns a large sum of money to a forgetful passenger because this is a "Man Bites Dog" story, and the news service hopes the public will accept this as the exception that proves the rule.

We read about how we are to respect certain people and never say anything bad about them. Yet, when these respected people ask the populace to be honest, respect their neighbors, stop burning and destroying the environment, they are ignored and nobody gives it a second thought. It appears that one can disrespect the most revered and wisest person in a nation, as long as that disrespect is carried out with actions (or lack of action) and not with words.

[whybother]

A few days ago left the Intercontinental Hotel on Suk around 12 midnight after a cigar and whiskey with a friend. Nothing but scum type taxi drivers and tuk-tukl drivers hanging around the hotel. I live 1 kilometer from the hotel and was quoted prices from 100BHT to 250BHT with zero traffic. Disgusting. Normally I would walk, but I don't feel safe walking in BKK at night.

Wait for a passing taxi.

[Tokay]

A few days ago left the Intercontinental Hotel on Suk around 12 midnight after a cigar and whiskey with a friend. Nothing but scum type taxi drivers and tuk-tukl drivers hanging around the hotel. I live 1 kilometer from the hotel and was quoted prices from 100BHT to 250BHT with zero traffic. Disgusting. Normally I would walk, but I don't feel safe walking in BKK at night.

I'm just going to wait here for someone to come along and say that in the 20+ years they have lived in Bangkok, they have never had a single problem with a taxi.

[Thakkar]

Land Transport Department chief Teerapong Rodpradert said that, since its drivers aren't licensed to drive public transport, Uber's service put users at risk. Thus it could not be registered. He also said it discriminates against consumers without credit cards since cash payments are not accepted.

This reminds me of a Woody Alan joke about a restaurant: "The food was terrible, and the portions were too small."

T

[Tatsujin]

People frequently complain about poor service, with the most commonly held wish being the ability to get a ride when they need it. Unfortunately, so far, no government has come up with effective measures that would grant them that wish.

mmmmm ... how about this ... create an app for reporting/approving "licensed" taxi drivers, enter their driver number into the app, give them a thumbs up or a thumbs down each time you use them, if they get more than a certain amount of thumbs down in a given period of time, they lose their licence for a period of time. Simple.

[kartman]

People frequently complain about poor service, with the most commonly held wish being the ability to get a ride when they need it. Unfortunately, so far, no government has come up with effective measures that would grant them that wish.

mmmmm ... how about this ... create an app for reporting/approving "licensed" taxi drivers, enter their driver number into the app, give them a thumbs up or a thumbs down each time you use them, if they get more than a certain amount of thumbs down in a given period of time, they lose their licence for a period of time. Simple.

Except the meltdown when every Taxi driver puts a thumbs up for every Taxi driver number .

Edited December 3, 2014 by kartman

[shaggy851]

Thousands upon thousands of taxis in Bangkok

The few that actually take you where you want to go should sign up and become UBER drivers

Bangkok needs a service like this ir grab taxi, this way people can get a ride to where they want to go with no hassles

Wiating out in the sun and the heat trying to get a so called taxi to where you want to go is an awful experience

Was outside of Indra Square the other day and 10 taxis stopped then refused when I told them my destination ....

UBER and Grab taxi are just what the doctor ordered ... a ride when you need it

That would be personally for me the worst area to get a taxi from in bangkok. May as well trek it to the bts mrt or a motorcycle taxi ring. Monsoonal rain, sweltering heat forget it.

Makes me wonder why they take people to that area in the first place, if only to refuse a return fare away. Surely they would be better off heading out with a fare than not.

Theyre just too arrogant, impose fines for fare refusal as well as up the flag fall with the pay rise to come. If they arent prepared to give us a better service then they dont deserve a pay rise.

Theres other jobs if they dont like it, theres no shortage of men upcountry that can drive a vehicle around.

[Thai at Heart]

The taxi companies should build their own apps and invite drivers to join for a small fee..

[Tatsujin]

People frequently complain about poor service, with the most commonly held wish being the ability to get a ride when they need it. Unfortunately, so far, no government has come up with effective measures that would grant them that wish.

mmmmm ... how about this ... create an app for reporting/approving "licensed" taxi drivers, enter their driver number into the app, give them a thumbs up or a thumbs down each time you use them, if they get more than a certain amount of thumbs down in a given period of time, they lose their licence for a period of time. Simple.

Except the meltdown when every Taxi driver puts a thumbs up for every Taxi driver number .

Well, I obviously didn't go into details too much, but it's easy to implement security to prevent misuse, for example, each cab could have it's own device installed instead perhaps, centrally administered by the DoLT, geo-location tracking, that would be one way to prevent misuse, along with OTP passwords being sent to a passengers phone, whereby phone numbers could be checked/confirmed to make sure that the same number doesn't get used multiple times in a short period of time, etc ... there's lots of things that can reduce or eliminate fraud quite easily, same as they do with banking systems.

Edited December 3, 2014 by Tatsujin

[NamKAheng]

I Uber myself years ago for the previsble taxi ride, I took mobile phone numbers from good and honest taxi drivers.

Is there a better thing than to have a taxi driver that you know and him knowing you for a long time.

[Suradit69]

A few days ago left the Intercontinental Hotel on Suk around 12 midnight after a cigar and whiskey with a friend. Nothing but scum type taxi drivers and tuk-tukl drivers hanging around the hotel. I live 1 kilometer from the hotel and was quoted prices from 100BHT to 250BHT with zero traffic. Disgusting. Normally I would walk, but I don't feel safe walking in BKK at night.

" Nothing but scum type taxi drivers and tuk-tukl drivers hanging around the hotel."

Probably just hoping for a chance to see some real classy people who were hanging around the hotel smoking cigars and drinking whisky.

Edited December 3, 2014 by Suradit69

[farangmick]

A few days ago left the Intercontinental Hotel on Suk around 12 midnight after a cigar and whiskey with a friend. Nothing but scum type taxi drivers and tuk-tukl drivers hanging around the hotel. I live 1 kilometer from the hotel and was quoted prices from 100BHT to 250BHT with zero traffic. Disgusting. Normally I would walk, but I don't feel safe walking in BKK at night.

I wonder what the "scum" taxi drivers who earn next to nothing yet still send money to their family upcountry think of rich farang who will not spend the price of one of their cigars on a taxi? And no, i am not, and never have been a socialist, but Thailand has made me re think my opinions about the poor.

[ableguy]

People frequently complain about poor service, with the most commonly held wish being the ability to get a ride when they need it. Unfortunately, so far, no government has come up with effective measures that would grant them that wish.

mmmmm ... how about this ... create an app for reporting/approving "licensed" taxi drivers, enter their driver number into the app, give them a thumbs up or a thumbs down each time you use them, if they get more than a certain amount of thumbs down in a given period of time, they lose their licence for a period of time. Simple.

Except the meltdown when every Taxi driver puts a thumbs up for every Taxi driver number .

Well, I obviously didn't go into details too much, but it's easy to implement security to prevent misuse, for example, each cab could have it's own device installed instead perhaps, centrally administered by the DoLT, geo-location tracking, that would be one way to prevent misuse, along with OTP passwords being sent to a passengers phone, whereby phone numbers could be checked/confirmed to make sure that the same number doesn't get used multiple times in a short period of time, etc ... there's lots of things that can reduce or eliminate fraud quite easily, same as they do with banking systems.

Who on earth would want to eliminate fraud . This is Thailand ?