GrabTaxi Beta is now live in Phuket

[webfact]

GrabTaxi Beta is now live in Phuket
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Vee Charununsiri, Deputy General Manager, GrabTaxi Thailand and Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong at this morning's launch.

PHUKET: -- It was announced this morning (July 24) that GrabTaxi Beta is now fully active in Phuket.

Vee Charununsiri, Deputy General Manager, GrabTaxi Thailand and Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong at this morning's launch.

The launch of the smart phone application was officially announced at a press conference held at the Phuket Merlin Hotel this morning.

More than 100 metered taxi drivers were in attendance at the seminar organised by the Provincial Land Transport Office (PLTO) to advise in the apps use.

Speaking to the drivers at the launch seminar, Phuket Governor Nisit Chansomwong said, “Today I want all of you to understand that this new application will give you more choice for income.

“You do not have to believe me, just think and decided for yourself.

“At this time you have to accept that this system is now available and this will make it easier and safer for people in Phuket to find a taxi.

“I do not want to force you to sign up to use the service, but you should consider it.

“This application will not only serve tourists, it will also serve local people and it will help to increase your income,” he said.

“However, here there are different groups and i donʼt want you to fight with each other,” he added amusingly.

“Please explain to your taxi friends in a positive way. It doesn't matter who will win or lose income, the safety of our tourists must come first,” he concluded.

Meanwhile in the launch event, Vee Charununsiri, Deputy General Manager, GrabTaxi Thailand said, “Thank you for this opportunity in Phuket. GrabTaxi is an opportunity to make the islandʼs taxi service more safe as passengers will know all the details of the taxi and its driver.

“There are now 10,000 users in Bangkok but there are fewer taxis in Phuket. There are 10 calls per second on GrabTaxi in Bangkok. All that the drivers have to pay to us is B30 per ride.

“We are only using metered taxis to begin with, others will be considered later.

“Everything will be by meter using our service and to use our our application all drivers need to put on their meters.

“This application is so easy for drivers to use and they can check all details on their smart phone. In addition, we also offer GrabLife insurance to all drivers who use the application as a benefit,” he said.

Teerayut Prasertpol, Chief the Provincial Land Transport Office (PLTO) added, “The GrabTaxi application was considered for Phuket because they only accept meter taxis and black plate taxis cannot use it.

“Green plate taxis are not currently able to use the app because they use different rates,” he said.

Download GrabTaxi from an app store now.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/grabtaxi-is-now-live-in-phuket-53344.php


-- Phuket News 2015-07-27

[The Big Mango]

About as much use as an ice pick in a desert.

Downloaded , tried twice now , once in Rawai and once in Kathu . Total availiable taxis 0. And the quoted price .mmmmmm.... ill believe that if ever a taxi responds ... not.

[GiantFan]

I was wondering if anyone had tried. A pre-req is you need a meter. Problematic if none in Rawai

or Kathu. I guess my chances in Patong are nil.

[Shot]

It's only been a few days. Give them a chance to sign up. It might take them a few days to delete all the porn and Candy Crush Saga off their phone to make room for the app. An honest, clean, sober driver who wants to keep busy could make some good money.

[The Big Mango]

So perservered with it and actually got a taxi.

From pahklok to patong sunday night around 830.pm.

Was pretty seemless to my surprise , 8 taxis availiable ( but this is due to the proximaty to airport as the app was showing them all near there ).

But non the less within 15 mins cab arrived.

Down side ?

Quote 400thb plus 30thb actual fare 600.

But then again never thought for a second it would be 430.

Anyone else tried yet ?

[Peterocket]

So perservered with it and actually got a taxi.

From pahklok to patong sunday night around 830.pm.

Was pretty seemless to my surprise , 8 taxis availiable ( but this is due to the proximaty to airport as the app was showing them all near there ).

But non the less within 15 mins cab arrived.

Down side ?

Quote 400thb plus 30thb actual fare 600.

But then again never thought for a second it would be 430.

Anyone else tried yet ?

Aren't they metered cabs?

[The Big Mango]

Yes of course ,

But I would of been more surprised if he actually switched it on.

One step at a time in the right direction is better than nothing i guess ??

[LivinginKata]

So perservered with it and actually got a taxi.

From pahklok to patong sunday night around 830.pm.

Was pretty seemless to my surprise , 8 taxis availiable ( but this is due to the proximaty to airport as the app was showing them all near there ).

But non the less within 15 mins cab arrived.

Down side ?

Quote 400thb plus 30thb actual fare 600.

But then again never thought for a second it would be 430.

Anyone else tried yet ?

Aren't they metered cabs?

Was the 600 baht the fare on the meter ? or was it a flat fare.

Edit// oh I see that he did not turn on the meter. That's very bad making a 400 baht quote. Maybe worth a complaint to Grab management. Is there not a driver comment section like Uber?

Edited August 5, 2015 by LivinginKata

[The Big Mango]

Flat fare , when he turned up I showed him the app quote , of course he said , oh cannot cannot too cheap.

Was expecting that to be fair though , this trip apart from the post about the tuk tuk i made recently has always been 1000thb.

So although not exactly as it should be 600 is a start in my opinion.

That said if it does come down to 400 , that would , well be a pretty amazing feat imho

To the edit ,

Yes thay actually send you a recipt to your email stating the fare.

It showed 400 plus 30 charge and came from support . I did email saying thankyou for the service and driver in fairness was very polite but i did tell the real cost.

No reply since sunday , but then again wasnt expecting one.

Edited August 5, 2015 by The Big Mango

[NamKangMan]

Flat fare , when he turned up I showed him the app quote , of course he said , oh cannot cannot too cheap.

Was expecting that to be fair though , this trip apart from the post about the tuk tuk i made recently has always been 1000thb.

So although not exactly as it should be 600 is a start in my opinion.

That said if it does come down to 400 , that would , well be a pretty amazing feat imho

To the edit ,

Yes thay actually send you a recipt to your email stating the fare.

It showed 400 plus 30 charge and came from support . I did email saying thankyou for the service and driver in fairness was very polite but i did tell the real cost.

No reply since sunday , but then again wasnt expecting one.

"Flat fare , when he turned up I showed him the app quote , of course he said , oh cannot cannot too cheap." - and how many arguments, and complaints to Grab Taxi, is this going to cause when tourists use the app on Phuket????

[The Big Mango]

^^ good point nkm ,

Guess were just used to it , but yeah if your on hols wouldn't be the best for grabtaxi reputation for sure

[NamKangMan]

^^ good point nkm ,

Guess were just used to it , but yeah if your on hols wouldn't be the best for grabtaxi reputation for sure

The bigger problems will come when the tourist just jumps in and the taxi drives off.

At the destination, that's when the real problems will occur, possibly leading to an assault.

The app, from a reputable company, saying one price, the driver demanding a considerably higher payment at the completion of the journey.

[LivinginKata]

From Grab Taxi Thailand web site ...

How much does it cost?

Our drivers are trained to turn on the meter once the passenger is inside the taxi. All you have to pay is the metered fare and an additional 25 baht booking fee.

http://grabtaxi.com/bangkok-thailand/faq/

But that only applies to Bangkok ....

[stevenl]

From Grab Taxi Thailand web site ...

How much does it cost?

Our drivers are trained to turn on the meter once the passenger is inside the taxi. All you have to pay is the metered fare and an additional 25 baht booking fee.

http://grabtaxi.com/bangkok-thailand/faq/

But that only applies to Bangkok ....

GrabTaxi is allowed on Phuket because they're only using metertaxi's.

[The Big Mango]

Will be in rawai / chalong this afternoon ,so will be trying again to get back to thalang early evening.

Lets see ......

[dageurreotype]

Will be in rawai / chalong this afternoon ,so will be trying again to get back to thalang early evening.

Lets see ......

We await with breath bated

[The Big Mango]

^^ 55555 reckon i might be waiting too after the last attempt from rawai :-)

[The Big Mango]

Well same as last time I tried zero taxis availiable when you open the app up

Still.some way to go it.seems.for GT

[steelepulse]

After all the talk about letting taxi meters pick up anywhere on Phuket, it appears this is not the case. Surely there are no taxi meters waiting in Rawai nor will the meter guys drive from the airport to pick up a Rawai fare.

The taxi situation here is bleak to put it mildly.

[The Big Mango]

^^ but they are supposed to have a base at chalong police station , well thats what theyve said . Guess not in reality.

Oh well will continue to perservere