The minister said the first stage of the rise was due to come into effect in December and would see fares per kilometre rise by eight per cent. This rate is calculated after the first kilometre travelled. The minister said there would be no increase in the cost of the flag fare for the first kilometre and it would stay pegged at THB35.
Current fares see passengers pay THB5 for each kilometre between one and 12. After that the fare rises by THB0.5 for each subsequent kilometre until 20kms. The Transport Ministry has cut this band to distances of between 1km and 10kms.
The second phase of the planned rises in Bangkok taxi fares is due in May 2015, but the ministry says there needs to be a general improvement in the quality of service before it gets the green light. The most common complaint about Bangkok taxis is that drivers arbitrarily refuse to take passengers to certain destinations.
Bangkok metre taxi fares to rise
News in Asia
Thailand’s Transport Ministry has endorsed a proposed increase in fares for Bangkok taxis. Minister Prajin Juntong said the government had agreed a two-tier rise which could see fares for the city’s so-called taxi-metres go up by a total of 13 per cent.