Dept comes to rescue of GrabBike
published : 24 Jun 2022 at 09:52
writer: Gary Boyle
ORIGINAL SOURCE/WRITER: Post Reporters
A committee is working to save the GrabBike (Win) service, which is closing down due to a legal violation, says a Department of Land Transport (DLT) notice.
The panel, represented by the DLT, Royal Thai Police, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Internal Security Operations Command, will talk to GrabBike (Win) and try to figure out a way to keep the service operating and within the law, it said.
The motorcycle taxi service of the popular ride-hailing app is coming to an end as Grab Thailand has notified its drivers, indicating the firm will end contracts with those who use motorbikes that are not registered for public transport services by July 15.
Grab Thailand said the move could affect tens of thousands of drivers, who will lose their income.
The panel is taking into consideration the demand for public transport while bringing services under proper regulation to protect the safety of commuters, said the DLT announcement.
Regulation will also ensure fair competition among app-based, ride-hailing service providers. Many companies have been open to requests to legalise their services since last October and so far two have been approved -- the Hello Phuket Service and Bonku.
As for GrabBike (Win), motorcycles registered as private vehicles were being used to carry passengers, in contravention of the law that requires public transport vehicles to be specially registered for the purpose.
Using lawfully registered motorcycles as taxis would also reduce the conflict between GrabBike riders and drivers who operate using taxi driver queues.
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Vocabulary
- committee: a group of people who are chosen, usually by a larger group, to make decisions or to deal with a particular subject - คณะกรรมการ
- competition: a situation in which people or organizations compete, i.e., try to be more successful or better than somebody else who is trying to do the same as you - การแข่งขัน
- conflict: an angry disagreement between people or groups - ความขัดแย้ง
- consideration: giving careful thought to something before making a decision - การคิดพิจารณา
- contract: an official written agreement - สัญญา
- contravention: doing something that a law or rule does not allow, or breaking a law or rule - การฝ่าฝืนกฎ
- hail: to signal to a taxi or a bus, in order to get the driver to stop - เรียก
- income: money that someone gets from working or from investing money - รายได้
- panel: a group of people who make decisions or judgments - คณะกรรมการ
- register: to put your name and other information on an official list in order to be allowed to do something, e.g., vote, study, stay in a hotel etc - ลงทะเบียน
- regulation: an official rule that controls the way that things are done - กฎระเบียบ
