He expounded by saying that taxi companies and drivers would need to make sure vehicles were well-maintained and clean and there was a significant rise in driving standards. The minister explained that city authorities would issue a badge for taxis which passed inspections on these points.
The minister added that his assistant, Akom Termpittayapaisit, had been tasked with working out the finer details of the project with the national Land Transport Department. He finished off with the statement that there would be no change in the standard flag fare of THB35, but increases would be added to per-kilometre fees. The flag fare covers the first two kilometres of any journey.
The Transport Ministry had previously stated it would assess proposed fare hikes for each other mode of public transportation on its own merits. The ministry says that decisions on the various applications will be issued by the end of 2014.
Thai government okays taxi fare rise
News in Asia
The Thai transport minister stated yesterday the government has agreed that fares for taxis in Bangkok can go up. Minister Prajin Juntong said the government was prepared to endorse the increase on condition that there was a general improvement in the quality of service.