Suvarnabhumi van-taxis threaten to stop service

[webfact]

Suvarnabhumi van-taxis threaten to stop service
By Coconuts Bangkok



BANGKOK: -- The transportation revolt continues with drivers of van-taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport threatening to stop service if officials do not increase the surcharge.

At a training session for airport taxi drivers yesterday, about 100 drivers demanded the airport surcharge be raised from THB50 to THB100 for their larger, 2,000cc vehicles which require more fuel.

The taxi drivers also repeated last week’s demand they be allowed to collect baggage charges of THB30 to THB80 per bag, depending on how many passengers carry.

Full story: http://bangkok.coconuts.co//2015/01/28/suvarnabhumi-van-taxis-threaten-stop-service


-- Coconuts Bangkok 2015-01-28

[berybert]

Yes allow them to charge more.

The price of oil has halved in the last few months. Are they going to pass this saving onto their customers ?

[trogers]

Then stop your services and your threats.

AOT could just let those taxis sending passengers to the airport pick fares into the city.

[Bluespunk]

"The transportation revolt continues with drivers of van-taxis at Suvarnabhumi Airport threatening to stop service if officials do not increase the surcharge."

See ya.

[Bluespunk]

"The airport’s board said it will consider the van-taxi drivers’ proposals"

They aren't proposals.

They are threats.

Edited January 28, 2015 by Bluespunk

[LivinLOS]

Call in Uber..

Let the lot of them go.. Free market..

[Strangebrew]

<deleted> -em ban all taxi's and AOT set up a van service to all major hotels and keep all the money You do have Airport Link line Correct? And I found it to be cheaper than taxi and faster with out tolls being paid. So IMO no great loss. I sure private citizens with cars would be more than happy to pick up the slack.

[Snig27]

These same van drivers were charging an excessive flat fee of 700B into the city before they were forced to use the meter. They screwed the tourist for an age whilst they were allowed to get away with it.

I avoid these vans as a matter of principal now, regardless of whether they now use the meter under duress. And I always tip a good cab driver well from the airport as it's always appreciated after a long flight.

[iReason]

"the drivers said they may have to stop service because they cannot afford the cost."

Then you're clearly in the wrong business.

Beat it.

ZERO sympathy.

[smedly]

good take the opportunity and set up a good bus service

there are just too many taxis - cut them in half and there will be no more complaining, as it is they spend most of their time sitting around doing absolutely nothing, dreaming up new ideas about how to get more money from their 6 runs a day 13 hour shift, the same goes for baht busses in Pattaya - all they do is cause congestion driving round in circles clambering over each other mostly empty

[SoiBiker]

Hopefully they sort this out. If two or three of you arrive with a fair amount of baggage, a normal taxi doesn't cut it.

[bkkgooner]

let them leave the airport so, no one cares too much

[PREM-R]

Call in Uber..

Let the lot of them go.. Free market..

"Call in Uber"

Well I suppose that would save the tourists from having to travel to Koh Tao to get raped and murdered

[thesetat2013]

Hopefully they sort this out. If two or three of you arrive with a fair amount of baggage, a normal taxi doesn't cut it.

If that is the case then you should use 2 taxis and pay the extra for what you have. These van taxis drivers should be given the boot and see how fast they come running back when they miss their next car payment or can't feed their families. Let them go.

[Thian]

I have never seen those larger taxi's at the airport. I bet they would get more customers then the Altis cabs with a huge lpg tank. They can't load much luggage anyway.

What i do still see is yelling cabdrivers when i go out for a smoke, very annoying. Bet they also won't use the metre.

HEY YOU!! YOU!! HEY BOSS, BOSS..... Come on man, at least they can yell "Hello Sir, do you need a taxi?"

I don't pay any attention at all to Thai yelling to me that way. Even somtam vendors like to do so, Get lost.

[Caveat Emptor]

Situations like this arise by the mis-management and cosy arrangements over the years then when it gets out of hand the authorities don't know how to handle it. if tough action needs to be taken they don't have what it takes to get on with it.

[gemini81]

Fine, back to buriram planting rice then. get on with it.

[trogers]

Situations like this arise by the mis-management and cosy arrangements over the years then when it gets out of hand the authorities don't know how to handle it. if tough action needs to be taken they don't have what it takes to get on with it.

Then the US Embassy should send someone to visit and talk to the threatening parties.

[BangnaBound]

But it’s not like you can pick what taxi you get. I’m sure the vans would be worth a premium to some people, but for most of us, they are an inferior product.

[samsensam]

they dont have to pick up passengers at the airport.

[BuddhistVirus]

Situations like this arise by the mis-management and cosy arrangements over the years then when it gets out of hand the authorities don't know how to handle it. if tough action needs to be taken they don't have what it takes to get on with it.

Then the US Embassy should send someone to visit and talk to the threatening parties.

What?

[paddyjenkins]

Doesn't matter whether I'm off to Bangkok or Pattaya, I stuck two fingers up to these taxi drivers a long time ago...BTS and buses are good enough for me and better than them...I'm a light traveler but if you happen to have too many bags for that then there are quite a few taxi services that people book in advance and often mention on these forums....use them

Edited January 28, 2015 by paddyjenkins

[konying]

What does fuel have to do with cng or gas? All of them run on gas.

Who forced them to buy bigger engines?

Can only hope AOT does not give in to this scammers.

[ezzra]

What a greedy lot... just got a raise in fares and now they are gunning for more,

the other day I took a taxi from Thonglor to the main airport and the meter was 240

baht, where before the raise it use to cost 205 baht, this is nearly 20 % up on

the old fare under the same road conditions... what's up with that? and now they want

more??

[ChangMaiSausage]

Large vehicles set rate 700THB airport to BKK, I've never had them turn on the meter, we have asked / refused but still they have never budged.

Things are not so straight forward when you are travelling as a family of four with luggage.

Last time we did take two taxi's splitting the family and luggage between the vehicles.

Its easy for many to say sod off, but your average tourist relies on the taxi's getting to and from BKK etc....

I see a taxi strike and road blockage coming shortly (just in time for the holidays) we are due one its been quiet for a while.

Set up a legit taxi service and pricing, I agree increase the surcharge for larger vehicles but at least set the rules and pricing to be applied.

Edited January 28, 2015 by ChangMaiSausage

[chrisbacke]

A few years ago, taxi drivers in Seoul threatened - and executed - a one-day strike. No taxis were supposed to go out that day - most of the taxi companies took part, but a few owner-operated ones went out.

The result? Traffic flowed smoother, there were fewer taxis parked / double-parked in places that blocked the flow of traffic, buses arrived faster since taxis weren't using the bus only lanes. Most expats I talked to (and a few Koreans) actually enjoyed the lack of taxis.

Bye bye van taxis. The free market is speaking.

[Guest]

This is the time to stand firm and send a message that ... no, you do not get paid 100 Baht to sit on your duff and wait for a fare. If the airport run does not suit your fancy, you are free to go elsewhere. And no, you do not charge by the bag ... that is absurd....it is an F'ing airport ... there will be baggage involved.

One could make a strong argument that it is less wear and tear on a vehicle, and more profitable to take long hauls at highway speeds than the grinding and punishing stop and go of the downtown.

If they cave now and double the rate, we are on track to become Phuket, where non metered mafia taxis run the island.

No, if you do not like the 200 - 500 THB runs you get at the airport ... do not go there.

Perhaps a long day i"back home" in the sun chopping rice for 100 Baht a day would remind you that driving an air-conditioned cab is not tough duty .. relatively speaking.

And yes, I have actually driven a taxi for a living, and let me tell you ... it is a lot easier than some other back breaking work I have done.

[trogers]

Situations like this arise by the mis-management and cosy arrangements over the years then when it gets out of hand the authorities don't know how to handle it. if tough action needs to be taken they don't have what it takes to get on with it.

Then the US Embassy should send someone to visit and talk to the threatening parties.

What?

When the airport authorities cannot handle the situation, the military would come in to solve the issue.

US Embassy should be a step ahead of the military.

[Johnnie99]

Suvarnabhumi van-taxis threaten to stop service

Please please please please please!

[Johnnie99]

Large vehicles set rate 700THB airport to BKK, I've never had them turn on the meter, we have asked / refused but still they have never budged.

Things are not so straight forward when you are travelling as a family of four with luggage.

Last time we did take two taxi's splitting the family and luggage between the vehicles.

Its easy for many to say sod off, but your average tourist relies on the taxi's getting to and from BKK etc....

I see a taxi strike and road blockage coming shortly (just in time for the holidays) we are due one its been quiet for a while.

Set up a legit taxi service and pricing, I agree increase the surcharge for larger vehicles but at least set the rules and pricing to be applied.

"Your average tourist" should make themselves aware of the cheaper and perfectly adequate alternatives. Ever heard of the BTS or even (horrors!) a bus?

Once alighting at the airport link BTS station, they can get a taxi at a far more reasonable, legal price.

Until, that is, these half-wits forego Swampy and move the Makkasan, and fleece the public there instead.