I have used two taxi companies for travel between Bangkok and Pattaya. Occasionally I will get a driver who apparently wants to make more money by avoiding toll booths. I've had drivers use the road next to the highway (7) or just avoid the final toll booth by exiting the highway early. I guess they think I don't know what they are doing. This results in the trip taking longer. I think that if I report the driver to the owner they probably won't fire the driver if he/she is a good employee in general. And I may end up getting the same driver in the future. Or, if no one else has complained about the driver and he/she denies the action, I might be considered a trouble maker by the owner. Having a reliable service is important to me so I don't want to lose a reliable one. I complained to an owner that the driver wasn't where I was told he would be at Don Muaeng.  In 20 minutes I couldn't find him as his English was limited. I ended up taking a public taxi that was actually cheaper but less comfortable. The next time I hired the service the driver didn't show up and the owner didn't answer my call.

 

Has anybody else had a similar experience of drivers avoiding toll booths to make extra money and what did you do?

Did your contract specify the use of a specific toll road?  If toll roads are desired it is customer who pays in a normal taxi so expect they would feel the same unless the time difference more than made up the toll expense.  

Agreed. Normally, taxi drivers give the customer the option. If the customer chooses to use the toll road, the customer pays the toll.

Most/all of these taxi companies use contract drivers with their own cars. If the taxi driver is paying the tolls himself with cash, then it may be that he is just saving himself some money.

 

But he may also be saving himself some time. Some of the lines of vehicles for paying cash fill up during busy periods. And the last section of highway before the relevant turnoffs for Suk and related areas are often jammed. Your driver may be getting info on these traffic jams and taking preventive action.

I generally use Mister T to and from Pattaya although usually these are airport runs, not Bangkok itself.

When they quote a price, it's always been  "including tolls" and i notice the drivers always take the main highway and get a receipt at the toll booths, which they presumably claim back from Mister T.

Also, when they collect me from the airport, it's the driver who pays the parking so in that instance the price quoted is  "including tolls and parking" 

Edited July 24, 20178 yr by VBF

I had this happen a couple of years ago. Instead of taking the free bus from Swampy to Don Muang, a tout at the hotel persuaded me to take a taxi. Bus trip takes about 2 hours. The taxi driver took 4 hours, dodging toll roads all the way. Barely made my flight.

Once bitten, twice shy.

2 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

I had this happen a couple of years ago. Instead of taking the free bus from Swampy to Don Muang, a tout at the hotel persuaded me to take a taxi. Bus trip takes about 2 hours. The taxi driver took 4 hours, dodging toll roads all the way. Barely made my flight.

Once bitten, twice shy.

I think the clue here is in the phrase "tout at the hotel"

There are many proper taxi companies advertising but I suspect yours was an (ahem) independent driver. As you say, once bitten twice shy!

My choice is Pattaya based as I very rarely visit Bangkok but I've got their and other reputable outfits in my phone. I suppose if one's visiting an area for the first time it could be difficult to know who's who though.

2 hours ago, bazza73 said:

I had this happen a couple of years ago. Instead of taking the free bus from Swampy to Don Muang, a tout at the hotel persuaded me to take a taxi. Bus trip takes about 2 hours. The taxi driver took 4 hours, dodging toll roads all the way. Barely made my flight.

Once bitten, twice shy.

I understand the embellishment to get a point across, but stating 4 hours is a bit much mate

44 minutes ago, Argus Tuft said:

I understand the embellishment to get a point across, but stating 4 hours is a bit much mate

Well, that's what it was. If you choose to cast doubt on what I've said, I don't think I'm going to lose sleep over it.

I normally give myself a 4 hour gap between Swampy and Don Muang in case of breakdowns and so I can have a leisurely meal and foot massage at Don Muang before boarding my flight. That's how I know it was 4 hours. Go troll somewhere else.

4 minutes ago, bazza73 said:

Well, that's what it was. If you choose to cast doubt on what I've said, I don't think I'm going to lose sleep over it.

I normally give myself a 4 hour gap between Swampy and Don Muang in case of breakdowns and so I can have a leisurely meal and foot massage at Don Muang before boarding my flight. That's how I know it was 4 hours. Go troll somewhere else.

Apologies bazza73, no disrespect.

You only mentioned taxi time, not meals and massages. Not trolling. Just the taxi time of 4 hours was raising eyebrows. Even in the worst traffic, have never come close to that.

 

6 minutes ago, Argus Tuft said:

Apologies bazza73, no disrespect.

You only mentioned taxi time, not meals and massages. Not trolling. Just the taxi time of 4 hours was raising eyebrows. Even in the worst traffic, have never come close to that.

 

Apology accepted. Possibly that day there was an accident, I can remember we were motionless for quite some time.

19 hours ago, allane said:

Agreed. Normally, taxi drivers give the customer the option. If the customer chooses to use the toll road, the customer pays the toll.

The owners told me tolls were included in the price.

1 hour ago, elgenon said:

The owners told me tolls were included in the price.

As said in another post expect driver in this case is paid set price + tolls and would have to provide receipt to claim tolls from owner so possibly made exit to save time (from his take on current conditions).  

Yes, they will take diversions if they believe it puts extra money in their pocket. Your time is of little consequence to them.

Sounds to me like you are not using standard yellow/green cabs but booking through an agent... and at a fixed price 'including tolls'... so the opportunity is there for the driver. Call the agency and complain or switch to another. And don't tip the driver.

 

 

Edited July 25, 20178 yr by jacko45k

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Yes, they will take diversions if they believe it puts extra money in their pocket. Your time is of little consequence to them.

 

 

 

Time seems to be of little consequence to any Thai. It can work for and against a falang.

I can remember turning up 2 hours late to unlock the condo door for a couple of guys who had come to fix my aircon. In their shoes, I would have been incandescent with rage, but it didn't seem to bother them at all.

21 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Time seems to be of little consequence to any Thai. It can work for and against a falang.

I can remember turning up 2 hours late to unlock the condo door for a couple of guys who had come to fix my aircon. In their shoes, I would have been incandescent with rage, but it didn't seem to bother them at all.

Perhaps you have been here too long?

2 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Perhaps you have been here too long?

Perhaps I have learned to be more patient.

@Bazza...I have taken normal Thai public bus from swampy to don muang before.....airport shuttle to transport centre then bus #55 to Don Muang - it stops on highway outside the Don Muang airport next to railway station and overhead walkway. Never has it taken longer than 90 mins and this is normal public bus with regular stops for pick up and drop off with normal traffic conditions . Fare was

( from memory about 35b)...no toll roads...just standard public bus route. can be a little difficult with large baggage thou.

5 hours ago, bazza73 said:

Perhaps I have learned to be more patient.

Rather inconsiderate to keep people waiting for 2 hours... not really learning is it?

Edited July 26, 20178 yr by jacko45k

1 hour ago, jacko45k said:

Rather inconsiderate to keep people waiting for 2 hours... not really learning is it?

You seem to be confusing me with someone who has nothing better to do all day than sit at a keyboard and respond to inane posts.

On 7/26/2017 at 5:44 PM, bazza73 said:

You seem to be confusing me with someone who has nothing better to do all day than sit at a keyboard and respond to inane posts.

Does not look like it.

" I can remember turning up 2 hours late to unlock the condo door for a couple of guys who had come to fix my aircon. "

Post from bazza73