Hotline For Reporting Transport Rip-offs

[fatter than harry]

Hotline for reporting transport rip-offs

Brought to you by:

The Phuket Gazette

PHUKET CITY: Customers who believe they have been overcharged or otherwise

maltreated by tuk-tuk, taxi, minibus and airport limousine drivers will soon be

able to make complaints direct to the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office

(PPTO) through a new telephone hotline number, 1584, manned 24 hours a day.

Due to go into service at the end of May, the 1584 hotline will allow

disgruntled passengers to speak direct to PPTO officers, who will launch an

investigation.

Problems associated with motorcycle taxi drivers will not, for now, come under

this new push to improve the image of Phuket’s private transport services.

This is because motorcycle taxi operators are currently exempt from rules

imposed under the Land Transportation Act. An amendment to the act is expected

to be made soon, bringing them in line with other forms of transport.

These rules state that the complaints hotline number must be displayed within

each vehicle along with – for tuk-tuks – a list of maximum fares on 49 routes

around the island, and the tuk-tuk operator’s license.

Any tuk-tuk operator found not to be displaying the fares list or charging more

than the maximum fare for a trip is liable to a fine of up to 2,000 baht.

The Chief of the PPTO, Prasit Amarapan, told the Gazette that officers

should be able to conclude an investigation within seven days of the complaint

being submitted, provided that the complainant gives them specific information

to identify the offender, such as the operator’s license number or the vehicle’s

PPTO registration number (painted on the side of the vehicle).

“Passengers must include at least the license plate number or another official

mark for us to be able to investigate the claim,” said K. Prasit.

Until the hotline number is introduced, passengers wishing to complain may call

the PPTO on Tel: 076-220791 or 076-211019, ext 6, during weekday office hours,

or 076-211019, ext 9, at other times. Complaints may also be lodged at any

police station.

[niagarekoja]

Hotline for reporting transport rip-offs

Brought to you by:

The Phuket Gazette

PHUKET CITY: Customers who believe they have been overcharged or otherwise

maltreated by tuk-tuk, taxi, minibus and airport limousine drivers will soon be

able to make complaints direct to the Phuket Provincial Transportation Office

(PPTO) through a new telephone hotline number, 1584, manned 24 hours a day.

Due to go into service at the end of May, the 1584 hotline will allow

disgruntled passengers to speak direct to PPTO officers, who will launch an

investigation.

Problems associated with motorcycle taxi drivers will not, for now, come under

this new push to improve the image of Phuket’s private transport services.

This is because motorcycle taxi operators are currently exempt from rules

imposed under the Land Transportation Act. An amendment to the act is expected

to be made soon, bringing them in line with other forms of transport.

These rules state that the complaints hotline number must be displayed within

each vehicle along with – for tuk-tuks – a list of maximum fares on 49 routes

around the island, and the tuk-tuk operator’s license.

Any tuk-tuk operator found not to be displaying the fares list or charging more

than the maximum fare for a trip is liable to a fine of up to 2,000 baht.

The Chief of the PPTO, Prasit Amarapan, told the Gazette that officers

should be able to conclude an investigation within seven days of the complaint

being submitted, provided that the complainant gives them specific information

to identify the offender, such as the operator’s license number or the vehicle’s

PPTO registration number (painted on the side of the vehicle).

“Passengers must include at least the license plate number or another official

mark for us to be able to investigate the claim,” said K. Prasit.

Until the hotline number is introduced, passengers wishing to complain may call

the PPTO on Tel: 076-220791 or 076-211019, ext 6, during weekday office hours,

or 076-211019, ext 9, at other times. Complaints may also be lodged at any

police station.

We will see.Personaly I think it`s a publicity stunt. When was it? about 12 months ago when all tuk tuks had to display a number and a price list somewhere on their vehicle. There was a date by which it had to be done.But not everyone complied.

Now I know, some do have numbers on.And some, price lists. But in many cases covering up the price list by putting something over it. So people are and still will be ripped off especially the two week tourist who dosn`t know any better.

I still say they would be better operating a Pattaya type system around Patong and Kata Karon.Probably make more money that way.And at the end of the day it`s supply and demand. I`ve watched these B** outside ocean on Bangla Road refusing fares if the customer would not pay their inflated price.They would rather just hang about for an hour doing nothing.Lazy sods.

[dr_Pat_Pong]

I am suspicious of their motives too. A bit of a positive thing in the light of some downturn in tourist numbers I suspect.

[SoiSniffer]

Talk about running up the ole post count on natterings.

My God posters, does one think that for a minute any of that will do a bit.

I suppost that top side bars in PatPong do bad or rip off customers.

Not I since I would go there nor will I allow some Tuk to hose me down.

If anyone is interseted a few words will clear the transit problem in Phuket.

As to the late night 100 baht ride, cheap safety device is my vote!

[astral]

If you complain they will take you down a quiet Soi at night and beat your brains out, just like the Pattaya Song Taew boys.

[niagarekoja]

It`s the b****y attitude of these guys that get me.I have a B/card of a tuk tuk guy who looked after me well once, with some friends. Notice! I say once, because the next couple of times I used him by ringing him up. Once we agreed a price for half a day hire and told him where I wanted to go and show friends.Did he go where I asked did he like ######.Just went where he wanted to go.Can you imagine telling people you would show them Promthep cape and the sod wouldn`t go .Just avioded going down the right road.Wouldn`t even answer me properly when I asked him what he was doing.Said he had to get home. We had bought a meal and drink for this guy.The second time was a very similar story.

I still see the cheeky sod and he is still trying to get business off me.

No Chance!!!!!

I have no sympathy for these guys at all.They can starve for me.