Ministry mulls taxi fare hike

Passengers call a taxi in front of a shopping complex on Ratchadamri Road on Friday. The Association of Public Taxi Motorists has urged the government to increase basic fares by 10 baht up to 45 baht in small taxis and 50 baht for larger vehicles, citing the fact they have not been adjusted for eight years. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)
Travellers call a taxi cab in front of a purchasing complex on Ratchadamri Road on Friday. The Association associated with Public Taxi Motorists has urged the government to increase basic fares by 10 baht up to 45 baht in small cabs and 50 baht for larger vehicles, citing the fact they have got not been altered for eight yrs. (Photo: Apichart Jinakul)

The particular Transport Ministry says it will hold general public hearings before choosing whether to green light a taxi cost increase in December.

Transport Ressortchef (umgangssprachlich) Saksayam Chidchob said on Friday how the Department of Property Transport (DLT) can be considering raising the particular fixed charge sustained at the start of a taxi cab journey following a sharpened rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The index has risen simply by 7% since 2017, according to government organisations and NGOs.

Mr Saksayam has told the DLT to estimate the fare increase using the CPI as a barometer; however , the particular department would have to cheaper the fare price if the CPI falls.

Hearings involving both the general public and private sectors will be held this particular month and next month on online and offline platforms.

Mr Saksayam stated a decision to raise fares should come by Dec this year.

The Association associated with Public Taxi Motorists recently called upon him to consider escalating the fixed taxi cab fare rate from 35 baht to 45 baht within small taxis and 50 baht meant for bigger ones.

The fixed rate covers the first kilometre of the journey.

Following that, the association would like to see an additional rate of 10 baht per kilometre through the second kilometre upwards. The current rate is 5. 50 baht up to 10km plus 6 baht following that.

The particular taxi association also wants a stationary charge of five baht per minute.

Mr Saksayam said the DLT has introduced 153 electrical buses since Aug and plans to have 1, 250 EV buses by the end of the year.

The Bangkok Bulk Transit Authority (BMTA) and the state-run Transportation Co will replace all diesel buses within three years, he or she added.