There has been a noteworthy surge in the adoption of taxi applications throughout Phuket. The convenience and cost-effectiveness these modern technologies offer pose a significant challenge to local cooperatives that have traditionally dominated taxi services in key tourist hotspots. Recognizing the pressing nature of this issue, top-ranking officials and representatives of these taxi groups came together for a meeting held recently at the Phuket Provincial Ombudsman’s Office. Championing this important event was Phuket’s Vice Governor, Anupap Rodkhwan Yodrambam.
The hot topic in focus was the Ratsada VIP Coral Tour group’s operations at Ratsada Pier. Although it’s been a year since an agreement was put in motion, stipulating that the pier’s taxi services would be regulated by its authority, there have been concerns. Are the cooperative taxi drivers at Ratsada Pier still operating under the same misunderstanding that sparked a problematic incident last year, when a cooperative driver obstructed another driver using a legal taxi app, and coerced four tourists to opt for a cooperative taxi service?
To solve this issue, parking regulations will now be enforced by the Ratsada Pier authorities. Clear signage will be put up demarcating specific areas for general taxis and app-taxi operations to serve their passengers from.
The driving force behind this new arrangement will be the Phuket Provincial Police and administrators from the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO). They will implement strict measures to grapple with illegal taxi operations at the pier. Contributions from the Phuket Provincial Administrative Organisation (PPAO) for essential materials and equipment will support these efforts, and the progress will be reported to the Phuket Provincial Office as well as the Governor of Phuket Province.
The meeting didn’t overlook the disheartenment among metered taxi drivers, either. Competing against the wallet-friendly fares flaunted by taxi app drivers has proven difficult for them, and they had lodged a formal objection to this back in June. The green plate taxi drivers under the Phuket Business Car Service Cooperative Limited were up for discussion, too. They used to enjoy exclusive passenger-serving privileges at Phuket International Airport.
However, with Grab being authorized to collect passengers from the airport as of September 1, these drivers are battling a significant loss of income. The cooperatives continuing to offer services at the airport are functioning under temporary extensions expiring at October’s end.
A pivotal resolution ensuing from this meeting is the PLTO developing a database to keep track of which taxis are driving which app services. This crucial information will fuel the design of public transport routes that cater more effectively to passengers. To construct this database as envisioned, the respective data must be solicited from the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society. Unlike prior conventions, the database will align taxi app services with the taxis in operation, rather than the drivers behind the wheel.
For further insights on Phuket’s active endeavors against the illegal taxi operations, tune in to the latest episode of Good Morning Thailand Talk Show here. Keep up with The Thaiger’s latest stories by following our new Facebook page here.
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