Taxi prices to rise, new complaint system planned

The Department of Land Transport mulls QR-code-based complaint filing system. (Bangkok Post file photo)
The Department of Land Transport mulls QR-code-based complaint filing system. (Bangkok Post file photo)

The Department of Land Transport announced a plan to roll out a QR-code-based complaint filing system for taxis to improve passenger service standards, one day after it approved the proposal to raise taxi fares.

"When the digital licencing system is completely rolled out, taxi and motorcycle taxi drivers will be required to carry a QR code that passengers could scan on their phones," said DLT director-general, Peraphon Thawornsupacharoen, on Thursday.

"Passengers will be able to view the driver's basic information, as well as lodge complaints by scanning the QR code."

When asked about the proposal to reward passengers who provide tips which lead to legal actions being taken against a driver, Mr Peraphon said that the matter is still being considered by the DLT.

The Transport Ministry's decision to adjust taxi fares was taken after the ministry received several calls from taxi drivers to raise fares. As a result, passengers will have to pay more  for longer taxi trips, starting from next month.

Under the new fare structure, the flagfall is unchanged at 35 baht but the price per kilometre from 1-10km will rise from 6 to 6.5 baht.

Prices per km for trips between 10km and 90km remain unchanged, while the price per km over 90km will be 10.5 baht. The hike was among several fare increases approved by the Transport Ministry on Wednesday.

The airport taxi surcharge will increase from 50 baht to 70 baht.

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Vocabulary

  • flagfall (noun): the starting point of a taxi journey, when the metre begins tracking distance and price - จุดเริ่มต้นของการเดินทางของรถแท็กซี่
  • hike: an increase - การเพิ่มสูงขึ้น
  • QR code (n): a machine-readable code consisting of an array of black and white squares, typically used for storing information for reading by the camera on a smartphone -
  • reward: money that someone receives for finding and returning something or for helping the police - รางวัล
  • rolled out: when something new is introduced; to introduce a new product or service; launch - เปิดตัว, เริ่มนำ
  • surcharge (noun): an extra amount of money you must pay; an added charge - เก็บเงินเพิ่ม, คิดเงินเพิ่ม
  • tip: a small piece of advice about something practical - คำแนะนำ

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