TRANSPORT
Amornrat Mahitthirook
The increase in taxi fares is not necessarily translating into more money for the drivers, with some taxi owners saying they are planning to raise their rental charges.
Taxi drivers are complaining that their vehicles' owners intend to increase their rent by 20-30 baht after the new taxi fare structure has been introduced.
The fare rise officially took effect last Thursday and works out at a 12-14% increase, but not all taxis are charging the new fares yet as they are waiting for their meters to be adjusted.
Drivers said they normally pay 550-560 baht a 12-hour shift to rent for the old model Toyota Altis taxis, but that will rise to 570-580 baht, they added.
The rent for the new model Toyota Altis has been 580 baht, but that will climb to 600 baht.
The rent for two shifts will increase 30 baht from 700-800 baht, according to the drivers.
The owners claim the drivers will enjoy a higher income due to the new fare structure and claim they are facing the higher costs of buying the cars as well as spare parts.
"Owners have started to signal a rental increment of 20 to 30 baht. If they do it, the higher fare from the government will be useless because our costs will rise further. We are asking for sympathy from the owners," said one taxi driver.
A taxi owner said he was sympathetic to the drivers' request, but added that owners are facing the higher cost of cars and especially parts.
Another owner, Chairat Narumitwong, said he charged only 500 baht per day in rent for old taxis.
But for his new fleet, he will raise the rate, he added.
Withoon Naewpanit, the leader of the Taxi Siam Cooperative which represents drivers, said the rent was not subject to a rule. Individual deals were made between taxi owners and drivers.
"The new meter rate that the state allowed is enough only for the higher cost of living. If drivers cannot survive the owners will suffer too," Mr Withoon said.
He also complained that taxi drivers were not benefiting from the new fares right away because adjusting the meters of all 65,000 taxis would take at least one month.
Officials at the Land Transport Department will certify the meter adjustment and attach stickers to inform passengers of the new fares.
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