Taxi fares are set to increase by December under government plans to help drivers cope with rising operating costs — on the provison that drivers clean up their act.
Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said a new taxi fare structure will be finalised this week after the ministry gave the green light for the price hike yesterday.
The ministry will call a meeting with taxi drivers and operators to give them guidelines on the fare rise and a set of conditions for the fare increase, ACM Prajin said.
As part of the conditions, cab drivers will be ordered to brush up on their manners and repair vehicles to meet safety and hygiene standards, including air-conditioning systems.
If the authorities and taxi operators can agree on new minimum standards, the Land Transport Ministry will start a process of inspecting taxis to see if they meet required standards.
Taxis which meet the standards will be issued with stickers certifying the quality of their service.
"If cab drivers and taxi operators accept the conditions for the fare increase, the department will take 45 days to inspect their vehicles and certify their services. This will be done next month. After that, taxi fares will be allowed to increase, no later than December," ACM Prajin said.
The minister insisted the plans will not cause a financial burden on the public because taxi fares will be recalculated based on distance. Fares for short distances will still be cheap, but fares for long distances will rise.
The new rates should guarantee drivers make at least 300 baht a day in profit, meaning the price increase is fair for both cabbies and passengers, he said.
Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said the fare hike would be based on four factors — operating costs, the income of drivers, the burden on consumers and the standard of service offered by taxis.
The increase must not cause the rate of inflation to rise higher than 2-2.5%, Mr Arkhom said.
Teerapong Rodprasert, acting director-general of the Land Transport Department, said officials and taxi operators will sign a memorandum of understanding after both sides agree on the fare rates.
He said taxi drivers would have to agree to stop bad habits such as rejecting passengers or dropping people off before their destination if they want the fare increase to go ahead.
The department will ask taxis to have their meters recalibrated to calculate fares in line with the new rates.
Officials will also assess the services of metered-cabs every six months and allow the public to offer suggestions on how to improve taxi services.