Consolidation of Thai transport acts under consideration

[webfact]

Consolidation of transport acts under consideration
ASINA PORNWASIN
THE NATION


At the launch of GrabTaxi

BANGKOK: -- THE DEPARTMENT of Land Transport is considering consolidating its two main laws - Land Traffic Act BE 1979 (2522) and Compulsory Motor Insurance Act BE 1979 (2522) - so as to enable the department to regulate land transportation efficiently, especially in the context of the current changes brought about by technology.

The department's director-general, Teerapong Rodprasert, said that due to the rise of new related land transportation services, for example arranging public transportation services via mobile phone, the department realised that it is time to rethink the two acts. The department is now considering consolidation as well as adjusting the details to make the regulations suitable for the current environment.

He added that to arrange a public transportation service via mobile phone is not illegal as long as the service provider uses vehicles with a public vehicle licence. He admitted that until now, illegal services are still available. The department's solution is to catch them and fine them Bt1,000. Since December last year until now, about 100 vehicles have been fined.

"The point is they use the wrong type of licence plate," said Teerapong.

Now, he added, the department is in talks with related organisations such as the Information and Communication Technology Ministry and the Revenue Department, on how to handle this problem efficiently, by exercising the relevant acts.

There are two main kinds of public car transportation services: taxi [with yellow licence plat] and limousine [with green licence plat]. The services of companies who provide a similar service like taxi or limousine, without having the vehicle's licence plate, are illegal under the current laws.

He added that the department recently launched a mobile app called "DLT Check-in" to allow passengers to rate taxis according to their quality of services. After its launch late in February, there have been more than 21,000 downloads. This app is available for iOS and Android smartphones. Moreover, the department is also considering developing its own app to allow people to grab a taxi in order to serve all taxis. This will give more than 200,000 drivers and 110,000 taxis the opportunity to reach potential passengers.

GrabTaxi Thailand, yesterday joined hands with Kasikornbank (KBank) and Muang Thai Life Assurance to provide welfare to GrabTaxi's drivers.

Vee Charununsiri, country head of Grab Taxi (Thailand), said the company had set up GrabLife fund worth Bt60 million. The fund comes from taxi drivers' Bt7 per transaction, which was deducted from the Bt25 surcharge paid by a passenger. The company also injects a percentage of their total investment, which to date amounts to US$340 million, into the GrabLife fund.

"Now, there are many thousands of taxi drivers using GrabTaxi. Drivers who have a good rating and get at least 100 trips [via app] per month would get life insurance. By this year, around 1,000 to 1,500 taxi drivers are expected to get this kind of benefit," said Vee.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Consolidation-of-transport-acts-under-consideratio-30259108.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-01

[worgeordie]

Why have you got to take the Governments compulsory insurance,

when you already have 3rd party or fully compressive with a private

insurance company ?.

regards Worgeordie