PHUKET: GrabTaxi metered cabs are to be given preference for parking at the 10 spots set aside for taxis around Phuket, it was announced today.
Governor Nisit Jansomwong told a meeting with the media that 103 of the holiday island's 370 meter taxi drivers had chosen to sign on for the application service.
''In my 10 or 11 months in this role on Phuket, I haven't seen any publicly available vehicles used to support tourism,'' he said.
''This new arrangement should be a breakthrough.''
GrabTaxi has established a presence in Bangkok by aligning itself with regulators. The rival Uber service, which also has a presence on Phuket, tends to operate without alignment with regulators.
Meter taxi drivers were being taught how to use the GrabTaxi system at a seminar at the Land Transport Offices in Phuket City today.
Non-meter limousines and saloon cars must have meters fitted before they can join the GrabTaxi system.
With preference being given to GrabTaxi, it's seen as another reason to expect the number of meter taxis to grow rapidly now on Phuket.
Officials at the Land Transport Office said today that some of the 10 parking areas designated for meter taxis had already been marked and were in operation.
''All of them should be operating by the end of next week,'' he said.
The 10 parking spots where taxis will await calls for customers are:
.. Phuket bus terminals one and two in Phuket City
.. Provincial Hall, Phuket City
.. The Public Transport Offices in Saphan Hin, Phuket City
.. Patong Hospital
.. Loma Park football field in Patong
.. Chalong Police Station
.. Karon Police Station
.. Phuket City Police Station
.. Rajabhat University
Governor Nisit was speaking today at his regular monthly Meet the Media conference at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
Governor Nisit Jansomwong told a meeting with the media that 103 of the holiday island's 370 meter taxi drivers had chosen to sign on for the application service.
''In my 10 or 11 months in this role on Phuket, I haven't seen any publicly available vehicles used to support tourism,'' he said.
''This new arrangement should be a breakthrough.''
GrabTaxi has established a presence in Bangkok by aligning itself with regulators. The rival Uber service, which also has a presence on Phuket, tends to operate without alignment with regulators.
Meter taxi drivers were being taught how to use the GrabTaxi system at a seminar at the Land Transport Offices in Phuket City today.
Non-meter limousines and saloon cars must have meters fitted before they can join the GrabTaxi system.
With preference being given to GrabTaxi, it's seen as another reason to expect the number of meter taxis to grow rapidly now on Phuket.
Officials at the Land Transport Office said today that some of the 10 parking areas designated for meter taxis had already been marked and were in operation.
''All of them should be operating by the end of next week,'' he said.
The 10 parking spots where taxis will await calls for customers are:
.. Phuket bus terminals one and two in Phuket City
.. Provincial Hall, Phuket City
.. The Public Transport Offices in Saphan Hin, Phuket City
.. Patong Hospital
.. Loma Park football field in Patong
.. Chalong Police Station
.. Karon Police Station
.. Phuket City Police Station
.. Rajabhat University
Governor Nisit was speaking today at his regular monthly Meet the Media conference at Phuket Provincial Hall in Phuket City.
ED the listed places are missing one place, I count only nine places. I have also seen these taxis waiting at Heroiness Monument.
Posted by Duncan on August 6, 2015 16:35
Editor Comment:
.. Phuket bus terminals one and two in Phuket City
That's two, Duncan.
Meter cabs may park where they wish, as long as it's a legal parking spot.