Taxis:Rising fares

[ncr]

Another question for you freaks :p :

What is the meaning behind the different colour schemes of Bangkok taxis?

Of course we all know the famous and numerous yellow/green and red/blue ones.

But you might have noticed there are also quite a lot of red/white ones, and occasionally you can see completely green ones, as well as completely light blue ones. And I think I've seen yet another colour, but cannot remember which one.... Some of these colours seem to be relatively new additions, for I can only remember yellow/green and red/blue taxis from my very first visit to Thailand 5 years ago. But my memory may deceive me.

Now, back to the original question:

I guess taxi operators can get their licenses from different.......... now what are they? Companies? Syndicates? Cooperatives? How to call such a thing?...... which all have their own colour scheme, radio network and telephone numbers.

Anyone in the know?

[Wisarut]

Khun NCR,

BKK Taxi cabs are operated by different companies and different co-op... look at the company and co-opnames at the car body and you'll see.

This kind of competition have effectively controlled the the price
of taxi cab even though the private held cab owners will rejig the meters to make it run faster than usual ... I can testify for that sicne I have withnessed this kind of dirty trick very often ...

Yeah, the telephon nujber for each company, co-op and association will be:

1) http://www.thai.net/puansee/radio.htm
(The list of BKK Taxi Companies - in Thai of course!)
Probably, I better ask the webmasterr to come up with English version ...

2) Bangkok Taxi Coop -> http://www.geocities.com/btctaxi/
call 02-880-0888

[jpatokal]

When will the proposed taxi fare increase take effect? Or when will they even decide that this is final? :confused:

The hike also seems very steep. I did a couple of quick calculations, and it looks like one 5-km taxi journey I travel quite often will jump from 35+15=50 baht to 50+36=86 baht, and 20 km from the airport, previously around 200 baht, is now going to be closer 350. For me as a resident of Singapore these are still reasonable, but what does the average Thai on the street think? Will tuk-tuks and the Skytrain actually be competitive again, and what are the taxi rental companies (who currently charge around 500 bt/day) going to do?

[Wisarut]

The Derpt of Land Transportation hasn't approved the
Taxi Fare Hike yet .... Flagging price is still 35 baht,
not 50 Baht yet.

Nevertheless, those Yellow-Green Taxi drivers have rigged
the meters to make them run faster to collect more fares
- especailly after midnight when taxi cabs are harder to find.


Note: The rate from Running West to East (KMITNB [Rama 7 Bridge] - KMITL [near NBIA]) is about 550 + 100 Baht
(100 Baht for Expressway, 550 Baht for the Taxi cab meter)

[jpatokal]

Back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, there were only two colors of taxi in Bangkok: red-blue and green-yellow. Over the past two years of so, however, there seem to be more and more variations popping up: orange, lime green, even violet taxis. I presume these belong to individual taxi companies, so is Bangkok also moving towards a Shanghai-style (http://home.wangjianshuo.com/archives/20040814_why_shanghais_taxi_is_good.htm) coloring scheme, where the biggest/best companies are allocated their own colors?

I certainly hope so, because this would bring some much-needed differentiation among the taxis. Right now it's effectively impossible for tourists to sort out good taxis from the "meter mai dai, you pay 500 baht, go lady boom boom" creeps, because the company medallions on the doors are only in Thai (and small print at that).

[The Enforcer!]

May be I am wrong but I thought that Blue/White were Bangkok Taxi Co., Ltd., and Green/Yellow were owner-operators and any other company could chose its own colours?

In the "good old days" all London Taxis were Black!!!

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

That Red-Blue Taxi is owned by Nakhonchai Taxi -> the Biggest taxi company in BKK ... The company has telephone network to allow the passengers to pick up the taxi .... whiel the otehr taxi companies may have to rely on Nakhonchai Networks to do the same thing ....

[ncr]

See also this thread from one year ago:

http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=138

[The Enforcer!]

See also this thread from one year ago:

http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=138
Pity the links don't work any more.

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

Pity the links don't work any more.

The Enforcer!Strange, for me they work. Anyway, it's to be found in "Other Mass Transit Subjects" (like this thread) and bears the name "Taxi colours" (17/02/2004).

[The Enforcer!]

Strange, for me they work. Anyway, it's to be found in "Other Mass Transit Subjects" (like this thread) and bears the name "Taxi colours" (17/02/2004).
Sorry NCR, meant the taxi link inside the thread.

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

Sorry NCR, meant the taxi link inside the thread.

The Enforcer!Oh, I see.... :o yes, they are broken.

[jpatokal]

I'd still like to know more about the history of the system... why were the other colors introduced only recently, did Nakhonchai have a monopoly or something previously? Why don't all the taxi companies have their own colors -- is there any sort of central taxi authority that allocates the colors?

[Wisarut]

Well, metered Taxi has been introduced in 1992 and it is effectively phased out those unmetered taxi around BKK and vincinities ....

The color scheme is designed by Land Transportation Dept .... and Nakhonchai is the first one who grab the chances ....

[The Enforcer!]

Well, metered Taxi has been introduced in 1992 and it is effectively phased out those unmetered taxi around BKK and vincinities ....

The color scheme is designed by Land Transportation Dept .... and Nakhonchai is the first one who grab the chances ....
Are there any new links for which companies have which colours?

The Enforcer!

[pong]

[QUOTE=The Enforcer!]Are there any new links for which companies have which colours?
No, not aware of anything, unless there is some taxifreak club somewhere on earth?
I rmember when the METERtaxis came,they came always in 2 colors,with green/yellow owner/operatored(but for halfaday, then hired out to someone else). there wereMANY 2-colourschemes then. the old taxis(bargained for) had mainly just 1 colour=off factory.
even though for some time I later thought the other ones (=comp.owned and hired out to drivers per shift) all had to become red+blue, this has never been 100% the case. I do think there is not just 1 comp as apinted on the red+blue ones.

[Wisarut]

According to Dept of Land Transportation (http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scolour.htm), the color scheme will be as follows:

1) Private Taxi => Green Yellow [usually have miters riggted to make them spin faster to collecct mroe revenue]
2) Taxi belonged to Legal Entities (e.g. Nakhonchai) => Cyan-Red
[For the coampies with no more than 1000 taxi cabs]
3) Taxi form Other companies with mroe than 1000 taxi cabs:

3.1)Thai taxi Cooperative Co Ltd: Blue body with White sign
3.2) Boworn taxi Co Ltd: Orange body with White sign
3.3) Laemthong Taxi Cooperative CoLtd: Violet body with white sign
3.4) Suvannabhum Taxi Cooperative [Thai agency of Howa Taxi]:
Green Body with whithe sign
3.5) Samaggitham Taxi Cooperative: Yellow body with green signs
3.6) Thai H Leasing Co Ltd: Cyan Body with White sign

[The Enforcer!]

According to Dept of Land Transportation (http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scolour.htm), the color scheme will be as follows:

1) Private Taxi => Green Yellow [usually have miters riggted to make them spin faster to collecct mroe revenue]
2) Taxi belonged to Legal Entities (e.g. Nakhonchai) => Cyan-Red
[For the coampies with no more than 1000 taxi cabs]
3) Taxi form Other companies with mroe than 1000 taxi cabs:

3.1)Thai taxi Cooperative Co Ltd: Blue body with White sign
3.2) Boworn taxi Co Ltd: Orange body with White sign
3.3) Laemthong Taxi Cooperative CoLtd: Violet body with white sign
3.4) Suvannabhum Taxi Cooperative [Thai agency of Howa Taxi]:
Green Body with whithe sign
3.5) Samaggitham Taxi Cooperative: Yellow body with green signs
3.6) Thai H Leasing Co Ltd: Cyan Body with White sign

Thanks, you're ace!

The Enforcer!

[Yappofloyd]

I've noticed dark blue coloured taxi's in the last two weeks....

So how many taxis are there in BKK. 15K - 20K???

There seems to be way to many as even when I am in non-tourist, outer areas there are still lots of taxis. Some of the road congestion occurs due to loitering taxis, esp. at bus stops, and sometimes at inner roads every 3rd car seems to be a taxi!

Does Min Transport have a cap on the number of licences issued to each company?

[Wisarut]

I guess that BK Taxi must be abrou 50k - 100k :D

[Yappofloyd]

I guess that BK Taxi must be abrou 50k - 100k :D

REALLY? :eek: Much more than I thought.....
Does MOTC have a capped on the number of licenses?

[jpatokal]

This is at least the third time I've heard this in two years, so are they actually going to increase the taxi fares this time? Personally, I'm for it -- cabbies make more money (and anybody sitting in BKK traffic for 12 hours a day deserves every satang they get), mass transit gets more users when the starting fare inches up above the cost of a Skytrain trip, and the "meter no work, much traffic jam, 500 baht I pay highway" jerks have even less justification for their habits. Somewhat strangely the Nation mentions only increasing the starting fee, surely it's the actually driving around bit that uses petrol? :confused:

[Wisarut]

Yeah, The taxi drivers (esp the Yellow Green) have a bad habit for RIGGING the meter so the meter can run faster than usual I cantestify for thsi sicne ihave uschablatant practise by my own eyes. :mad:

[Wisarut]

The cuirrent number of Taxi in BKK: 81000 :eek:

The current number of Private Taxi in BKK: 36000 and dwindling

T hte actual Private taxi: lessthan 9000, the rest are belonged to Capitalists

The current number of Co-opand Company Taxi in BKK: 45000 and rising.

Major Complains from Passengers:
Refuse to Accpet the passengers, Refuse to give a change, Rig the Meters,
Dirty Uniform, Rude action, The dirvers are nto the same as shown in the IDs.

Ref: http://www.manager.co.th/QOL/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9480000099868

[airlana]

The cuirrent number of Taxi in BKK: 81000 :eek:

Major Complains from Passengers:
Refuse to Accpet the passengers, Refuse to give a change, Rig the Meters,
Dirty Uniform, Rude action, The dirvers are nto the same as shown in the IDs.



Well fancy that. Seems nothing has changed in 30 odd years :rolleyes:

airlana
.

[The Enforcer!]

I use about three taxi's a day for short trips (Sathorn to Silom mainly) and I can guarantee that at least once a week I get a Meter that is rigged ... the last one had itself at 2.2km for driving down Silom Soi 18 which is less than 200m!!!

The most common offence is to go an indirect route ... sadly for them I know every route I ever request!! I also know where 1km is on every direction from my home!! Also my Thai is good enough to direct them junction by junction if I want ... and I often do!

I now make it a policy to ensure that the Taxi has a yellow badge on the rearside doors and a visible Drivers permit.

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

Found in the Nation:

Free parking spaces for taxis (http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2005/09/28/national/index.php?news=national_18727510.html)

Published on September 28, 2005

In an attempt to relieve traffic congestion, the Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal that states all government authorities must provide free waiting areas for taxis.

The new measures were proposed by PM’s Office Minister Newin Chidchob and include Don Muang and Mor Chit.

According to the proposal, every government agency and state enterprise must provide free parking spaces for taxis waiting to pick up passengers.

“From now on, additional charges at Don Muang and Mor Chit will be waived,” said government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee.

Surapong said agencies must not give special rights to certain taxi companies.

The government will also ask the private sector, including department stores, hotels, restaurants, banks, petrol stations and private car parks, to provide some space for free taxi parking.

A working group chaired by Newin and including officials from related agencies will also be set up to draft a ministerial regulation under the Building Control Act that stipulates all large buildings must provide taxi-parking spaces in their areas. Surapong said the measures would be enforced from October 15.

:confused: :confused: :confused: Don't know what to make of this.

[jpatokal]

An end to the Don Muang taxi mafia (http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/forum/showthread.php?t=630&highlight=taxi+mafia)? I didn't think that would happen until Suvarnabhumi opens... after which, of course, it will probably turn into the Suvarnabhumi taxi mafia. :(

[myymee]

Last Aug, In front of Tops Kasetsart at 9.30 am, getting into a taxi to Don Muang Domestic Airport, I was asked if i wanted to go through Ngamwongwan Rd. Saying "no" , I surely believed by U-turn (nearby a big orange building with a big clock) on Vibhavadi Rd towards Vibhavadi outbound route, it was a better way. Then 10 Mins later, I started seeing how wrong the meter was running. My boyfriend was also doubtful about this matter. Discussing about it, then I spoke up " something wrong". Getting a bit mad, the taxi driver claimed he suggested me to go through Ngamwongwan Rd. I might be absolutely crazy if i followed his advice because of the traffic on Ngamwongwan Rd.was more hellish than on Vibhavadi Rd. Feeling cheated, I made 191 call by my mobile. But it failed. Fortunately, I saw the tel no. of Thung Song Hong Police Station on a cutout close to a bus-stop. I told a policeman that 2 days ago the fare from Vibhavadi Hospital to Kao San Road was 115 baht but in front of the airport, the taxi stopped with the fare of 100 Baht. Later the policeman wanted to talk to the driver. I did not want to pay less but just wanted to get rid of the "bad" and would try to sustain "the good".

[The Enforcer!]

In the past few weeks my area (Sathorn) has been unindated with brand new all-over Orange colour taxis.

Is this a new operator?

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

unindated or inundated?
Funny typo. :D

As for your question, I think I have seen orange taxis before...... but then, one can not be 100% sure anymore, given the recent colour scheme variety. What will be next? Purple with yellow stripes? :p

[The Enforcer!]

unindated or inundated?
Funny typo. :D

I am a member of the "Sosceetee for the Pisspronunceeation of Wirms".

[For those for you who remember Ronnie Barker]

The Enforcer!

[ncr]

...just hope it wasn't a Freudian Slip - but if so, I have no idea what it would signify? (Does "unindate" have any meaning?) ;)

[The Enforcer!]

Does "unindate" have any meaning?
Not according to the OED.

The Enforcer!

[Scott]

Since I arrived in Bangkok in August I've used taxis a couple times each week. Since the middle of December I'm finding LCD screnes in quite a few of the cabs (about 1 in every 3 rides originating in the Sukhumvit area). I haven't noticed that they are associated with a particular company (co-op, whatever) or color of taxi. Some are playing dvds or vcds while others are picking up a TV signal.
Is this an organized effort to up the quality of taxi service or just an individually motivated change by cabbies to stay entertained (and distracted from the road) while working? Has anyone else noticed a sudden increase in taxi TVs? My Thai wasn't quite good enough to get an answer from the drivers.
If this is an organized effort, it hasn't received anywhere near the media attention of the Automated Taxi Stands that are popping up half finished an unfunctional all along Sukhumvit.

[The Enforcer!]

I think these things are a road safety hazard and I have been involved in two minor incidents where a Taxi driver was watching the screen on the sunshade rather than the road.

First involved missing a turn, but the other hit the car in front as he failed to brake fast enough!

If you need such things in a taxi, it should be mounted where the driver cannot see!

The Enforcer!

[Scott]

I doubt there is any debate over whether these devices are a traffic safety hazzard when viewable by the driver. Further, it is probably pointless to recommend regulation or improved enforcement of existing regulation to control Drive-and-view behavior since enforcement is a particularly weak point in the Bangkok transportation system.

But it may be informative to know whether the TVs are installed for the benefit of the driver or the rider and find out who is paying the bill. My first guess is that taxi drivers want to watch TV, regardless of the impact on passenger safety. An effective response to this may be editorials or creating public outcry against irresponsible driving. But this would be less effective if the TVs are installed for the passengers' sake. I must admit that the time spent in Bangkok traffic flew by while I watched the special on "Wild Europe" from the back seat.

[Scott]

The Bangkok Post answers my question (in part) in this article (http://bangkokpost.com/110106_Database/11Jan2006_data01.php). However, the picture of the in-car LCD screen shows it to be located out of the driver’s sight, a placement I have yet to see in person. Then again, I’m one of those fools who doesn’t pay much attention to the color of the cab I hail. Here are some highlights from the article since BP doesn’t maintain the url for archived articles. My favorite is at the bottom.

Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative has invested over ten million baht in a GPS tracking system and other high tech equipment that will allow the company to know exactly where taxis are and also allow passengers to track a vehicle over the Internet.
Its taxis will also be able to accept credit card payments.
Suvarnabhumi Taxi Cooperative committee member Hudsadin Eamsherangkul said the GPS and communication system enabled its computer control centre to locate and trace every "Green" taxi of the cooperative, of which there are around 1,500 vehicles today.
Every taxi has a GPS module that sends a signal to a computer system at the taxi centre via the GPRS mobile network, explained Mr Hudsadin, who added that the computer centre could also remotely control some functions of the taxi in cases of emergency, such as turning on the emergency light or a siren.
"You will notice that every Green cab has covered seats with white cloth, which we do to make our service look professional. But passengers pay a normal fare, with no extra charges," the president said.
The GPS equipment for each vehicle costs around 10,000 baht, but the co-operative didn't install it to make a profit, but rather to improve quality and safety for passengers.

[The Enforcer!]

a placement I have yet to see in
Ditto!

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

I’m one of those fools who doesn’t pay much attention to the color of the cab I hail.
Sadly I not only note the colour, I record the yellow internal taxi number in my palmtop as we drive off.

I have had far too many problems with cheats over the past ten years - these days I tell the driver my destination AND the route I want him to take. If he does not agree, I change taxi!

The single best operator I have met is the 'all orange' Taxis, which I think is the Boworn Taxi Co.

The Enforcer!

[BKKPages.com]

I'm looking for a copy (a readable scan or photo would suffice) of an up-to-date taxi meter price chart.

Often you see them hung on the back of the driver's chair and it lists the prices for the journey: ie. first KM = x baht, subsequent KM = y baht etc etc. Either they've all vanished or I've just been unlucky but now I'm on the look out I can't seem to find one anywhere.

Any ideas where I might be able to see a copy, online or offline? Please reply or PM me if you have any idea.

Thanks,
Jon

[The Enforcer!]

DISTANCE
DIST FARE
2.00 35
2.44 37
2.89 39
3.33 41
3.78 43
4.22 45
4.67 47
5.11 49
5.56 51
6.00 53
6.44 55
6.89 57
7.33 59
7.78 61
8.22 63
8.67 65
9.11 67
9.55 69
10.00 71
10.44 73
10.89 75
11.33 77
11.78 79
12.22 81
12.67 83
13.00 85
13.40 87
13.80 89
14.20 91
14.60 93
15.00 95
15.40 97
15.80 99
16.20 101
16.60 103
17.00 105
17.40 107
17.80 109
18.20 111
18.60 113
19.00 115
19.40 117
19.80 119
20.20 121
20.59 123
20.99 125
21.39 127
21.68 129
22.02 131
22.36 133
22.70 135
23.09 137
23.43 139
23.82 141
24.18 143
24.54 145
24.90 147
25.27 149
25.63 151
26.00 153
26.36 155
26.73 157
27.09 159
27.45 161
27.81 163
28.18 165
28.54 167
28.91 169
29.27 171
29.64 173
30.00 175
30.36 177
30.73 179
31.09 181
31.46 183
31.82 185
32.18 187
32.54 189
32.90 191
33.27 193
33.63 195
34.00 197
34.36 199
34.73 201
35.09 203
35.45 205
35.82 207
36.18 209
36.55 211
36.91 213
37.27 215
37.64 217
38.00 219
38.36 221
38.73 223
39.09 225
39.45 227
39.82 229
40.18 231
40.54 233
40.91 235
41.27 237
41.64 239
42.00 241
42.36 243
42.73 245
43.09 247
43.45 249
43.82 251
44.18 253
44.54 255
44.91 257
45.27 259
45.64 261
46.00 263
46.36 265
46.73 267
47.09 269
47.45 271
47.82 273
48.18 275
48.54 277
48.91 279
49.27 281
49.63 283
50.00 285

TIME
Stop or less than 5kph - 1.25 Baht per minute.


The Enforcer!

[BKKPages.com]

Woah, that is great - many, many thanks. Where did you get that from if you don't mind me asking?

[ncr]

Where did you get that from if you don't mind me asking?Photographic memory? ;)

[The Enforcer!]

Woah, that is great - many, many thanks. Where did you get that from if you don't mind me asking?
I keep thousands of pieces of trivial data in my palmtop and this is one of them!

I got the calculations from a taxi card, put them in my palm and then rechecked it.

The Enforcer!

[BKKPages.com]

And I though I was a geek! ;) Thanks again.

[Yappofloyd]

I keep thousands of pieces of trivial data in my palmtop and this is one of them!

I got the calculations from a taxi card, put them in my palm and then rechecked it.

The Enforcer!

Khun Enforcer,

And I was going to ask why you would put this into your Palm.....but of course it is because you knew that one day someone would ask for it!

[The Enforcer!]

.....but of course it is because you knew that one day someone would ask for it!
Absolutely!

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

And I though I was a geek! ;) Thanks again.
I resemble that remark.

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

a geek!
GEEK = Gentleman Empowered with Exceptional Knowledge, yes?

The Enforcer!

[BKKPages.com]

I'm unsure my wife would agree with the Gentleman part. :)

[Yappofloyd]

According to Dept of Land Transportation (http://www.dlt.go.th/taximeter/scolour.htm), the color scheme will be as follows:

1) Private Taxi => Green Yellow [usually have miters riggted to make them spin faster to collecct mroe revenue]
2) Taxi belonged to Legal Entities (e.g. Nakhonchai) => Cyan-Red
[For the coampies with no more than 1000 taxi cabs]
3) Taxi form Other companies with mroe than 1000 taxi cabs:

3.1)Thai taxi Cooperative Co Ltd: Blue body with White sign
3.2) Boworn taxi Co Ltd: Orange body with White sign
3.3) Laemthong Taxi Cooperative CoLtd: Violet body with white sign
3.4) Suvannabhum Taxi Cooperative [Thai agency of Howa Taxi]:
Green Body with whithe sign
3.5) Samaggitham Taxi Cooperative: Yellow body with green signs
3.6) Thai H Leasing Co Ltd: Cyan Body with White sign

Khun Wisarut, I noticed a different coloured taxi tonight which actually said TAXI COOP (white body with red stripe and red lettering). Is this a smaller Cooperative than those listed above? Also, are these taxi Cooperatives genuine with drivers owning shares in the cooperative or are they being exploited just as bad as the private companies?

[The Enforcer!]

I have noticed several 'new' colours recently - is there an update on colour schemes?

The Enforcer!

[The Enforcer!]

What does the prefix หจก mean in front of a company name?

The Enforcer!

[Wisarut]

หจก = ห้างหุ้นส่วนจำกัด => Hang Hunsuan Jamkat -> Limited Partnership (Ltd.Part.) -> a company of lower rank than Co.Ltd.

[The Enforcer!]

Thanks.

Saw a Black-White taxi the other day ... very weird I wonder who runs it?

The Enforcer!

[GWR]

Cabbies to run on CNG next year

(BangkokPost.com) – Newly-registered taxis will be forced to run only on compressed natural gas next year (CNG), according to the Director-General of the Land Transport Department.

Mr Silpachai Charukasemwattana stressed that a new regulation will ensure that all taxis fill up with CNG starting from January 1, 2008.

The Land Transport Department is currently in talks with PTT public company limited to set up a complimentary service whereby registered taxis will be invited to have their engines adapted so that they are “CNG-friendly”.

In another development, the Land Transport Department is considering cab operators’ recent proposal to adjust fares after prices have remained unchanged for over 10 years.

“We are considering this proposal and will come up with something to make sure passengers will not be affected by the price hike. We plan to take this matter up with the Transport Ministry next week,” Mr Silpachai said.


Link may expire:
http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=124323

[GWR]

Calling a cab goes hi-tech
By Asina Pornwasin
The Nation
Publication Date: 17-01-2008

Bangkok residents will soon have more ways to call a taxi, without having to walk to the street or wait in lonely places.

Some taxis in the future will be embedded with either a GPS Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or a mobile phone SIM unit that allows people to get the nearest taxi faster with the assistance of taxi cooperatives. The idea was formed as a result of research supported by the Thailand Research Fund.

Viroat Srisurapanon, head of the transport engineering division of the Department of Civil Engineering at King Mongkut's University of Technology Thon Buri and head of the research group said the concept was to utilise three main technologies: base-map software, GPS and Geographic Information System (GIS) and GSM or CDMA mobile networks.

To turn the idea into reality requires system implementation both in the vehicle and at the central office of the taxi cooperatives.

In the vehicle will be a GPS receiver and a terminal equipped with a GSM or CDMA SIM. Both work as a location base feature device to allow the taxi cooperative to know the exact position of every cab in real time, as well as whether that vehicle is available.

In the central office, a base-map software allows staff to see the status of taxis in particular areas. The system could be implemented on top of the existing radio system that has been installed and used separately. It can run in parallel with the existing system.

People would be able to call a taxi from wherever they are through a variety of methods. Rather than waiting for up to 20 or 30 minutes to get a cab, people will be able to get a taxi in a much shorter time. For example, they could call from a taxi kiosk in a shopping or convention centre. They could also call at taxi counters in conference centres, or could make a request via SMS.

All these methods could become available in the near future, once the GPS and mobile network systems are implemented.

Many aspects of technology are involved behind this scenario.

All taxi-calling channels require software that works compliantly with the central office of the cooperatives. Once a request is made, the central office will seek the nearest available taxi for that particular user, and assign the job to it. This will improve waiting time for users.

The concept could provide benefits to both passengers and taxi drivers, and reduce traffic and air pollution in Bangkok. Taxi drivers would no longer need to drive around seeking passengers and that would reduce the number of vehicles on the road, especially during rush hour. Moreover, passengers would not need to go out on the street in rain or scorching sun. There are about 60,000 taxis in Bangkok. On average, one taxi gets about 12 trips per day. One out of every three taxis is driving around without a passenger.

The concept aims to improve security for both taxi drivers and passengers. Since the vehicle is in the eye of a monitoring system, the central office knows the exact location of a cab, its route and destination. If any unexpected events occur, they can be in control immediately. The Office of Transport and Traffic Policy and Planning (OTP) may act as the host for collaboration among the stakeholders, especially the 12 taxi cooperatives. The research is finished and the next step is a pilot project to be established with at least 4,000 taxis.

Chamroon Tangpaisalkit, director of OTP's Transport Safety Bureau, said OTP could be the coordinator for the pilot project.

"We see that the idea could bring us further useful information about traffic flow. The system can calculate the speed of some vehicles in particular areas and analyse it into traffic flow data for particular roads," said Chamroon.

http://www.asianewsnet.net/stech.php?aid=14589

[Yappofloyd]

A fare rise does seem well overdue and we all know that most taxi drivers are hardly slushed with cash no matter how many ripoff, off the meter fares some get with gulliable tourists.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Taxi fares to rise, but rate still not set AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK Bkk Post 03/06/08

Taxi fares will go up, but by how much will not be known for another two weeks. An increase was agreed upon in principle at talks yesterday between transport officials and representatives of the drivers. The new rate will be decided by a tripartite committee of representatives from the Land Transport Department, the Consumer Protection Board and taxi drivers. It will report back in 15 days.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Sunday supported an increase, saying the 35 baht flagfall had not changed since meters were introduced in 1992. The prime minister thinks fares should start at 39 baht, but drivers have demanded an overall 20% rise with the flagfall rising to 40 baht. ''Taxi drivers are satisfied with this solution as they also sit in the committee,'' Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri said after yesterday's talks. ''I cannot say now if the fare will be adjusted or not. I admit I sympathise with them, but there must be a proper process.''

Although most taxis now run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), not petrol, the drivers struggle with rising costs because high petrol prices have raised the cost of all items, he said. However, an increase in taxi fares would have a big impact on the public and must be properly examined first. Taxi leader Withoon Naewpanit said taxi operators had plenty of evidence to back their request for a fare rise. He warned there could be a protest if agreement was not reached within the deadline.

Plans being conidered include parking their cars in front of the Transport Ministry on Ratchadamnoen avenue, cutting the number of taxis in service by a third, limiting their speed on streets to 40 kilometres per hour and turning on their headlamps during the day.

There are about 70,000 taxis in the capital, 85% fuelled by LPG and the rest by compressed natural gas, sold as NGV. The drivers also want lower contribution to the Social Security Fund, which costs them more than 600 a month. They say they receive lower benefits than people in other professions.

[Wisarut]

A fare rise does seem well overdue and we all know that most taxi drivers are hardly slushed with cash no matter how many ripoff, off the meter fares some get with gulliable tourists.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Taxi fares to rise, but rate still not set AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK Bkk Post 03/06/08

Taxi fares will go up, but by how much will not be known for another two weeks. An increase was agreed upon in principle at talks yesterday between transport officials and representatives of the drivers. The new rate will be decided by a tripartite committee of representatives from the Land Transport Department, the Consumer Protection Board and taxi drivers. It will report back in 15 days.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej on Sunday supported an increase, saying the 35 baht flagfall had not changed since meters were introduced in 1992. The prime minister thinks fares should start at 39 baht, but drivers have demanded an overall 20% rise with the flagfall rising to 40 baht. ''Taxi drivers are satisfied with this solution as they also sit in the committee,'' Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri said after yesterday's talks. ''I cannot say now if the fare will be adjusted or not. I admit I sympathise with them, but there must be a proper process.''

Although most taxis now run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), not petrol, the drivers struggle with rising costs because high petrol prices have raised the cost of all items, he said. However, an increase in taxi fares would have a big impact on the public and must be properly examined first. Taxi leader Withoon Naewpanit said taxi operators had plenty of evidence to back their request for a fare rise. He warned there could be a protest if agreement was not reached within the deadline.

Plans being conidered include parking their cars in front of the Transport Ministry on Ratchadamnoen avenue, cutting the number of taxis in service by a third, limiting their speed on streets to 40 kilometres per hour and turning on their headlamps during the day.

There are about 70,000 taxis in the capital, 85% fuelled by LPG and the rest by compressed natural gas, sold as NGV. The drivers also want lower contribution to the Social Security Fund, which costs them more than 600 a month. They say they receive lower benefits than people in other professions.

Yah ... I've seen the meters of Yellow-Green taxis running and ticking at very unuaual speed ... having to pay mroe than other taxi cabs on the same routes ...

[The Enforcer!]

Before I comment has LPG/NGV gone up in price?

To me the fare on the taxi is normally irrelevant as most days I travel off-peak less than 2Km to Silom or my Club so I give them 60 Baht anyway.

The Enforcer!

[GWR]

Taxi fares may rise


Bangkokians will have to pay 11 per cent higher on average as taxi fares, if Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri approves the fare increase Thursday.

Acting Land Transport Department director-general Chairat Sanguansue said the minister will weigh two options: First, the first 2km fare is maintained at Bt35 but the rates for subsequent distance is raised 50 satang to Bt1 per km. Second, the first 2km fare is Bt40, but the subsequent rate is raised at only 50 satang per km.

Songsak said he would discuss with Transport Minister Santi Prompat on the fare hikes, before issuing the ministerial regulations to validate the increase.

The Nation
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30075299

[Yappofloyd]

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Subsidy to remain on LPG for taxis VICHAYA PITSUWAN Bkk Post 02/07/08
The Energy Ministry has extended the subsidy on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for taxis until the end of the year. The move is a response to the Taxi Association's complaint that an increase in the price of LPG would cause added hardship when they are already struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.

Energy permanent secretary Pornchai Rujiprapa said yesterday the ministry will allow taxis to fill their tanks at a subsidised rate until the end of the year. Taxis will be able to buy discounted LPG at 107 filling stations around Bangkok. Worldgas and Siamgas each run 40 of these stations, and PTT the other 27.

Energy Minister Poonpirom Liptapanlop on Monday postponed a planned increase in the price of LPG for use in vehicles, saying her priority was to ensure supply meets demand after a severe shortage in the market raised suspicions vendors were hoarding supplies. The ministry previously announced it would raise the LPG price yesterday and later gradually float it to ease the burden of the state price subsidy. The announcement led to a serious shortage of LPG for vehicles over the weekend.

Vitoon Neawpanich, president of the Taxi Association, said he is satisfied with the government's short-term measure. Mr Pornchai said 50,000 to 60,000 taxis have not yet modified their vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Mr Pornchai said more CNG filling stations will open by the end of this year.

The Energy Ministry reports that in the first four months of this year, the transport sector used 214,800 tonnes of LPG, with the industrial sector using 226,800 tonnes and household use totalling 668,700 tonnes. The ministry also reports the transport sector used 5,000 tonnes more of LPG in June, or a total consumption of 60,000 tonnes a month for the sector. Thailand needs to import 40,000 tonnes of LPG monthly.

[mdechgan]

Increase the 1st 2km to 40 baht or 0.50 baht per km after?
Well this leaves the critical point to be about 12km. 10 km + the 1st 2 km.

I don't know about demographics of Bangkok but I live on the Thonburi side of the river, lots of long U-turns and very deep soi's. For me I would give them the 40 baht or extra 5 baht because an average trip for me into the city about 30km or even to the airport about 80km would really hit my pocket.
To the airport I pay between the high 300's to low 400's. But on the return I have to pay 50 baht for the airport cue and a flat rate of 600 baht because I live in the Thawi Watthana area and meters are closed because of some stupid long distance policy from the airport.

If I lived in Bangkok like from Silom to Chinatown of course the 0.50 km is more better.

What do taxi drivers like? I thought they preferred long trips, but lately I think they prefer more short trips. One trip to the airport? or 10 2km trips?

Oh what is the rate for a taxi stopped in traffic? Is it 1.25 baht per minute? Will this go up?

[jpatokal]

What do taxi drivers like? I thought they preferred long trips, but lately I think they prefer more short trips. One trip to the airport? or 10 2km trips?
According to a taxi driver buddy of mine (not in Bangkok, mind you), the answer is "depends". The theoretical ideal is lots of short trips, because that's how you can earn the most, but outside taxi peak hours that just doesn't happen... so when it's quieter, cabbies will happily take a long ride to the airport and a guaranteed 300 baht instead of taking their chances in getting 10 short rides.

[Wisarut]

According to a taxi driver buddy of mine (not in Bangkok, mind you), the answer is "depends". The theoretical ideal is lots of short trips, because that's how you can earn the most, but outside taxi peak hours that just doesn't happen... so when it's quieter, cabbies will happily take a long ride to the airport and a guaranteed 300 baht instead of taking their chances in getting 10 short rides.

For the case of taxi from my home at Big C Chaeng Watthana to Thammasart U. (Rangsit Campus) -> about 30 km ...

If riding from the dropping point at Donmuang -> 20 km -> about 125 Baht.

From My Home to Suvannabhum Airport -> about 45 km. -> about 300 Baht

[Yappofloyd]

Whoops! I guess changing the claibration of 70k meters was always going to involve a time consuming process with a few snags.

Snag stops taxis charging new fares, Drivers angry as their meters cannot be reset AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK Bkk Post 04/07/08
A technical snag in resetting taxi meters barred taxi drivers from legally charging new fares which took effect yesterday, though some still tried to charge passengers the difference. In the first taxi fare rise in 16 years, fares will go up by 12-14%. The flagfall will stay at 35 baht, but will include only the first kilometre of travel instead of the first two kilometres.

More than 200 taxis queued up at Mahanakorn University of Technology in Nong Chok district yesterday to have their meters adjusted. Drivers were angry to learn the university needs one to two weeks more to develop the software. University rector Sujet Chantarangsi said accredited private firms sent the university only 11 of 19 taxi-meter models used in Thailand. It also needs the other ones to produce the software needed to reset meters.

The Land Transport Department received several complaints from commuters yesterday that taxi drivers were already demanding the increase, even without their meters reset. Transport Minister Santi Promphat said taxi drivers cannot charge the higher fare until their meters are recalibrated. He urged commuters to report the driver's name and licence plate number to the 1534 hotline so the ministry could take legal action.

Siam Taxi Cooperatives chairman Witoon Naewpanich said accredited firms were charging too much for resetting meters. The university collects 200 baht per taxi, while nine other private companies charge 500 baht. He said it was too much, given the 65,000 taxis plying Bangkok's streets. A sticker will be placed on meters which have been adjusted.

Boonchai Rungruengpaisansuk, who leads a consumer network, said it would petition the Administrative Court to revoke the fare rise. He said most taxis ran on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and did not suffer from rising oil prices which was the basis for the ministry's decision.He called on taxi owners to cut rental fees charged to drivers instead.

The new taxi fares are 35 baht for the first kilometre, then five baht a kilometre between the second and the 12th kilometres, 5.50 baht a kilometre between the 12th and 20th kilometres, six baht a kilometre between the 20th and 40th kilometres, 6.50 baht a kilometre between the 40th and 60th kilometres, 7.50 baht a kilometre between the 60th and 80th kilometres and 8.50 baht a kilometre beyond that

[Yappofloyd]

Another case of no one working out the reality of adjusting so many meters plus owners/taxi companies not paying for the change?

PUBLIC TRANSPORT Cabbies say cost of tuning meter to new fare too high AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK Bkk Post 09/07/08
Taxi drivers have threatened legal action if the Transport Ministry refuses to bring down the high cost of resetting their meters to the new fares to a reasonable level. Representing the taxi drivers, Withoon Naewpanit, head of the Taxi Siam Cooperatives, complained yesterday that the nine private companies supplying fare meters have set too high a charge for retuning them _ 400-600 baht per taxi. The firms were claiming intellectual property protection to discourage Mahanakorn University of Technology from offering its cheap meter tuning service of 200 baht per taxi.

He urged the Transport Ministry to legalise the university's cheaper service, or force the private companies to cut their charges to a reasonable level. If the ministry failed to help, cabbies will ask the Lawyers Council to take up the case on their behalf as they cannot apply the new fares without having their meters expensively reset. They were officially allowed to raise fares last Thursday.

''If the Mahanakorn University of Technology refuses to resume the service because of the intellectual property restriction, taxi drivers will seek an Administrative Court order to have the campus service restarted,'' Mr Withoon said. Chairat Sa-nguansue, acting chief of the Land Transport Department, said at the moment things were in favour of private operators, as they were the ones importing the software that was needed to run the meters and was considered intellectual property.

After negotiating with officials, the operators agreed to cut their service fees to a certain extent, but have refused to hand over their software to the campus for a cheaper service, he said. Deputy Transport Minister Songsak Thongsri suggested the Land Transport Department ask educational institutes to develop their own software and new taxi meters to make the service cheaper in future.

New software and meters should not only calculate fares but also print out receipts and require the input of drivers' ID cards for the sake of passengers' safety, he recommended. Mr Songsak pointed out that private companies were intentionally delaying their meter tuning service in order to keep their charges high. If the department had its own software, the meter adjustment charge would be only 100 baht per taxi at most, he said.