Victory ! Taxis Will Stand At Airport !

[cclub75]

(that's the definitive proof : they are reading ThaiVisa forum ! )

Heeding passenger concerns, a taxi stand will be installed on the second floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport's passenger terminal.

Somchai Sawasdeepon, Airports of Thailand Plc (AOT) general manager, said the decision was in response to problems during the September 1 test flights when many travellers had difficulty catching taxis from the public bus terminal.

The AOT's previous plan was to only allow taxi drop-offs at the passenger terminal. Pick-up service was conducted at the public bus terminal, 2.5 kilometres from the main terminal. A shuttle runs between the bus and passenger terminals.

AOT officials came to the realisation that this system would be inconvenient for passengers arriving with heavy luggage. (as we say "better late, than never")

A stand will be established at the passenger terminal with at least 20 taxis available at all times. Somchai said officials would ensure that there are enough vehicles to serve passengers.

People will still be able to take a shuttle to the public bus terminal to catch a cab. Shuttles will be available every three to five minutes.

From the bus terminal, the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority will provide service along six routes between Suvarnabhumi Airport and Bangkok.

[britmaveric]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82016

We already knew that if you looked at the pdf that Bambi found.

[Crossy]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82016

We already knew that if you looked at the pdf that Bambi found.

Sorry Brit, 'tis YOU who didn't read it, page 17 says :-

"To get Taxi : Take shuttlebus (express route) from MTB to taxi stand at Bus Terminal"

Incidentally, the link to the pdf now appears to be dead.

EDIT . pdf attached here SVBTransport.pdf

Edited September 8, 2006 by Crossy

[britmaveric]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82016

We already knew that if you looked at the pdf that Bambi found.

Sorry Brit, 'tis YOU who didn't read it, page 17 says :-

"To get Taxi : Take shuttlebus (express route) from MTB to taxi stand at Bus Terminal"

Incidentally, the link to the pdf now appears to be dead.

EDIT . pdf attached here SVBTransport.pdf

Well I assume if curbside drop off/pickup can be done by private cars that certainly taxi(s) will follow. If you read the pdf.

[Crossy]

Well I assume if curbside drop off/pickup can be done by private cars that certainly taxi(s) will follow. If you read the pdf.

I see nothing about "A stand will be established at the passenger terminal with at least 20 taxis available at all times." in the .pdf (do agree about the private car / taxi comment though).

But who cares IF you can actually get a taxi at the terminal without pissing about on a shuttle with ZERO space for luggage, the buses that take you to the aircraft have better arrangements and they are intended for passengers and hand luggage only.

[cclub75]

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=82016

We already knew that if you looked at the pdf that Bambi found.

Britmaveric, you are little bit late on this issue...

This is the original document that has started the controversy. And it's very clear : slide 17 for public taxi : "go bus terminal" and for drop off : "condition : leave immediatly with no exception".

As for the private limousine, slide 18, it's pick up at level 2 (arrival) outer curb.

The news picked on Nation, however, is dated from today. AOT, after the first flight tests, found out that their system was not sustainable.

OK, they took several month to come to this very simple conclusion. But, as I said, better late than never.

So to summarize : we 'll be able to take a taxi directly on level 2, on arrival. No need to take their XXX bus shuttles to go to the transportation center a few km away.

[Khun Jean]

Such a waste of the transportation center.

It might work if they change it into a market.

[Thaiquila]

If taxis are available directly at the airport (I sure hope this is true) why would anyone want to take a shuttle bus to get a taxi?

[erikr_]

Such a waste of the transportation center.

It might work if they change it into a market.

Yeah take the shuttle bus to the market and then back to the airport to take a taxi

[Soju]

If taxis are available directly at the airport (I sure hope this is true) why would anyone want to take a shuttle bus to get a taxi?

Perhaps because they say there will always be 20 taxis waiting. At peak travel times, 20 taxis is a drop in the bucket and a very long wait might be involved. Even now at Don Muang waits of 30 minutes on more for a taxi are not uncommon.

[stoneman]

Still not sure they have found the answer. 20 taxis to handle passengers from 3 or 4 747's arriving at about the same time, seems a little inadequate. But I also remember reading that the limousine service had a total of 120 cars...also seems very inadequate.

[Soju]

Still not sure they have found the answer. 20 taxis to handle passengers from 3 or 4 747's arriving at about the same time, seems a little inadequate. But I also remember reading that the limousine service had a total of 120 cars...also seems very inadequate.

Using taxis to service all the passengers from high-volume airports just isn't practical. Planes frequently land earlier or later than scheduled. So often you either have a huge number of excess taxis or a huge shortage of them. Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the whole idea of banning them from curbside and making more room for airport buses was to try to alleviate this problem by getting people to start using the airport buses instead. Huge numbers of passengers at most major airports around the world make extensive use of airport buses, but to my knowledge they were never very popular at Don Muang. I never even new they existed there until recently. Hopefully this will change at Suvarnabhumi and it will become more civilized.

[Thaiquila]

That works fine if you have a small carryon bag. My understanding is that these buses did not have any special facilities for carrying large luggage. Beyond stupid!

[Losangels]

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

[Thaiquila]

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

Now that is a petty complaint, isn't it? Don't the taxis have to pay fees just to be in the queue? Taxi drivers are not exactly rich, give em a break, and heck, give them a tip if they deserve it. Geez.

[jdinasia]

That works fine if you have a small carryon bag. My understanding is that these buses did not have any special facilities for carrying large luggage. Beyond stupid!

Wow! and my understanding is that they are the low entry open format busses similar to the ones that take you out onto the tarmac.

but again we have people screaming and moaning about omething that has NOT happened yet .... and as we learn more as time goes by ... they are crying about nothing !

[Losangels]

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

Now that is a petty complaint, isn't it? Don't the taxis have to pay fees just to be in the queue? Taxi drivers are not exactly rich, give em a break, and heck, give them a tip if they deserve it. Geez.

The taxi driver doesn't get to keep the 50 Baht. I believe the airport gets it

[jdinasia]

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

Now that is a petty complaint, isn't it? Don't the taxis have to pay fees just to be in the queue? Taxi drivers are not exactly rich, give em a break, and heck, give them a tip if they deserve it. Geez.

The taxi driver doesn't get to keep the 50 Baht. I believe the airport gets it

Yes the concession gets it ..... the STAFFED concession ... That takes your information and sets the taxi to take you to your destination. A VERY nice thing for tourists etc to make sure they get a METERED taxi that knows where they are going!. That 50 baht is cheap for the service!

[womble]

That works fine if you have a small carryon bag. My understanding is that these buses did not have any special facilities for carrying large luggage. Beyond stupid!

Wow! and my understanding is that they are the low entry open format busses similar to the ones that take you out onto the tarmac.

but again we have people screaming and moaning about omething that has NOT happened yet .... and as we learn more as time goes by ... they are crying about nothing !

In order to get something done it is often wise to make ones feeling known. Allowing taxis to stop at the terminal is a result of people complaining about having to take buses with no choice for taxis at the terminal.

I've got no problem paying a 50 baht surcharge if taxis are waiting at the terminal. The taxis have to wait a long time to Q, and if a decent waiting area is provided for passengers with help from officials such as in Singapore, I will happily pay 50 baht extra than take the bus.

I expect we'll see the surcharge doubled.

Edited September 9, 2006 by womble

[Soju]

That works fine if you have a small carryon bag. My understanding is that these buses did not have any special facilities for carrying large luggage. Beyond stupid!

Not sure if you were replying to me or not, but I was referring to the big airport buses that take you into the city to the major hotels, not the shuttle buses. The big buses have plenty of room for your luggage on the underside of the bus, at least every airport bus I've ever seen does.

Something to think about - with Suvarnabhumi able to handle 45 million passengers per year, if all those passengers decided to take a taxi it would make for total chaos and gridlock. That's approximately 125,000 passenger per day going into and out of the airport. You need someway to efficiently get those people to their destinations and clearly taxis will not be sufficient for all the passengers. The new airport needs efficient transportation, and around the world it's been proven that airport buses and trains are the way to go.

[Crossy]

That works fine if you have a small carryon bag. My understanding is that these buses did not have any special facilities for carrying large luggage. Beyond stupid!

Wow! and my understanding is that they are the low entry open format busses similar to the ones that take you out onto the tarmac.

Page 7 has nice piccies of the shuttle buses. They are exactly the type of vehicle that you would expect BMTA to operate in the CITY not in an airport (they are low floor though).

Meanwhile, anyone know where short term parking is located??

[Thaiquila]

That works fine if you have a small carryon bag. My understanding is that these buses did not have any special facilities for carrying large luggage. Beyond stupid!

Wow! and my understanding is that they are the low entry open format busses similar to the ones that take you out onto the tarmac.

Page 7 has nice piccies of the shuttle buses. They are exactly the type of vehicle that you would expect BMTA to operate in the CITY not in an airport (they are low floor though).

Meanwhile, anyone know where short term parking is located??

Thats what I heard to. Do you know if they have luggage racks? This can't be a fast, efficient, or pleasant system with all the long haul travellers with lots of luggage.

Edited September 9, 2006 by Thaiquila

[Boxer]

NO evidence as yet about surcharge on Taxis but sure it will come. Casual pick up Taxis at airport are a problem and rip off most of time the aim was to get them all to use meters on published scales. haha!

Taxi holding at Centre is for 400 even if only 20 at a time at Terminal, Same for Limo's parking for 350 at least.

All Airport Bus's are equiped with low entrance floors and space for luggage see pictures on airport site.

[Maestro]

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

Wasn’t that for the road toll fees? There’s one toll fee of 30 Baht and another of 20 Baht.

---------------

Maestro

[Tywais]

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

Wasn’t that for the road toll fees? There’s one toll fee of 30 Baht and another of 20 Baht.

---------------

Maestro

No. They (driver) usually give you the option to take the tollway. If you elect to take it then you pay the tolls.

[bendix]

I sometimes think that if the taxis were completely free and came with equpped with a DVD player, people on here would complain that the choice of DVDs was too limited.

Honestly . . . give it a break. 50 baht surcharge is nothing. A dollar twenty five US. Thailand has some of the cheapest most comfortable taxis in the world - stop moaning.

I lived in Sydney before. The airport surcharge was 3-4 aussie dollars and by the time the ###### taxi (driven by a sweaty Greek usually) had reached the exit of the airport, the fare was higher than the entire fare from Don Muang to Sukhumvit.

We get a brand spanking new Airport in Bkk, and people only focus on the opening glitches.

[trajan]

I sometimes think that if the taxis were completely free and came with equpped with a DVD player, people on here would complain that the choice of DVDs was too limited.

Honestly . . . give it a break. 50 baht surcharge is nothing. A dollar twenty five US. Thailand has some of the cheapest most comfortable taxis in the world - stop moaning.

I lived in Sydney before. The airport surcharge was 3-4 aussie dollars and by the time the ###### taxi (driven by a sweaty Greek usually) had reached the exit of the airport, the fare was higher than the entire fare from Don Muang to Sukhumvit.

We get a brand spanking new Airport in Bkk, and people only focus on the opening glitches.

amen to that bendix nothing will be utopian perfect, but some people complain so rabidly and frequently about the smallest things (and miss the bigger picture), that they soon just become annoying noise with no credibility...

[during the past two months I've taken taxis from Taipei airport into town, from Manila airport into town and from San Francisco airport into town (talking about rip-offs!)]

[sabaijai]

Still not sure they have found the answer. 20 taxis to handle passengers from 3 or 4 747's arriving at about the same time, seems a little inadequate. But I also remember reading that the limousine service had a total of 120 cars...also seems very inadequate.

The announcement says 'at least 20 taxis'.

[zink]

Great news

Maybe I'm wrong, but I think the whole idea of banning them from curbside and making more room for airport buses was to try to alleviate this problem by getting people to start using the airport buses instead. Huge numbers of passengers at most major airports around the world make extensive use of airport buses, but to my knowledge they were never very popular at Don Muang. I never even new they existed there until recently. Hopefully this will change at Suvarnabhumi and it will become more civilized.

They weren't trying to make more room for airport buses, they were trying to make room for their overpriced limousine service.

I've used buses at Don Muang couple of times and they were quite full (there is also a luggage rack there). However, there are two problems with those:

- they depart only every 30 minutes. Thus if the bus has just left, it doesn't make much sense to wait for a new one.

- they are quite expensive if you aren't travelling alone. For two people bus would cost 200B and taxi about 300B, for three people the price would be the same.

In the pdf it was mentioned that airport buses will serve "first class hotels". I hope that this isn't true, airport buses should serve all important hotel areas frequently.

Will they still require a 50 Baht surcharge/tax/ripoff to take the taxi from the airport like what is presently done at Don Muang

I will be very suprised if the surcharge will be only 50B. It will probably be increased (to 100B for example) just like every other fee at the new airport.

[jdinasia]

which fees are those zink? Everyone so far suggested seems to be put on hold .....

But really ... please ... don'tgive the place a chance ... don't find out the REALITY of the situation! instead build the worst case scenario in your mind and go from there!