PATONG'S ROADS are often as wild as its nightlife and the obvious solution to traffic problems here would be an affordable bus service around the city.
Earlier this month, the Phuket Provincial Transport Office released its proposal for a route that would see a fleet of 10-12 buses providing service around the city with a set fare of 12-15 baht, says PPTO Chief Somphong Tosawat.
The proposal is open to the private sector for bidding but so far no one has come forward, he says.
Phuket City is the only municipality on the island with inter-city bus routes. The Phuket Orborjor operates two routes on this service.
Nine privately-run routes, all departing from Phuket City, currently cover the island using songthaew and non-air-conditioned buses. A songthaew is an open-air bus with benches running the length of it.
Another route connecting Phuket City and the airport is in operation under a private service using large air-conditioned buses.
Khun Somphong says three or four more routes are needed to give the island better service. In addition to the Patong route, a service that connects Saphan Hin and Rassada Pier is also open for bidding.
Unregistered taxis and tuk-tuks, the so-called "black" taxis, are another problem his office is working on, he says.
The PPTO is working with police to reduce the number of black taxis at the airport and other areas by carrying out twice-weekly road checkpoints.
All taxis, tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis must be properly licensed as passenger service vehicles or they face a fine of 2000 baht, Khun Somphong says.
There are 1162 licensed tuk-tuks, which have yellow license plates, and more than 400 green-plated taxis serving the airport and island hotels. There are 2713 taxi motorbikes in three districts, with 1414 in Phuket City, 1204 in Kathu District, which covers Patong, and 95 in Thalang.
Turning taxi and tuk-tuk drivers from "black" to "yellow" has been a priority in reducing complaints, says Khun Somphong.
Metered taxis also carry yellow plates, and rates are set by the transport office. The first two kilometres are 50 baht, 2-22 km are charged at seven baht per km, and more than 22 km is at six baht per km. Metered taxis departing from the airport are required to add a 100-baht surcharge.
Tuk-tuk fares, says Khun Somphong, are negotiated between driver and passenger before departing. Motorbike taxi fares are also negotiated in advance, but each win, or team, of drivers, sets fixed prices for win members to follow.
In 2002, at the urging of the then Governor of Phuket, who had received many complaints about overcharging, the PPTO released a tuk-tuk price guideline and asked drivers to post it in their vehicles.
Sample fares from the 2002 guideline are: Phuket City to Patong 200 baht, Phuket City to airport 340 baht, Patong to airport 320 baht, Kata to Patong 140 baht.
The guidelines were only followed for a short time, says Khun Somphong, since there was no regulation in place to enforce them.
In addition to overcharging, driver behaviour and unsafe driving were common complaints.
The PPTO has set up a 24-hour hotline to receive complaints, said Khun Somphong. The number is 1584.
He says passengers wishing to make a complaint should note the driver's name (written on a badge displayed inside the vehicle), the name of the organization he works for (usually labelled on the side of the vehicle) and the license plate number.
Phuket's Taxi Price Craziness Goes Sky High
Care to spend your money on a taxi from Mai Khao to Patong or a flight from Phuket to Bangkok? The price is roughly the same. Island tuk-tuks and taxis continue to overcharge.
Phuket's Taxi Price Craziness Goes Sky High
Phuket Turns Pink With New City Bus Service
The familiar green Phuket City buses are turning pink and changing in other ways, too. Look for the new buses from October 1; New discount for airlines at Phuket; Dengue fight goes on foot.
Phuket Turns Pink With New City Bus Service
Earlier this month, the Phuket Provincial Transport Office released its proposal for a route that would see a fleet of 10-12 buses providing service around the city with a set fare of 12-15 baht, says PPTO Chief Somphong Tosawat.
The proposal is open to the private sector for bidding but so far no one has come forward, he says.
Phuket City is the only municipality on the island with inter-city bus routes. The Phuket Orborjor operates two routes on this service.
Nine privately-run routes, all departing from Phuket City, currently cover the island using songthaew and non-air-conditioned buses. A songthaew is an open-air bus with benches running the length of it.
Another route connecting Phuket City and the airport is in operation under a private service using large air-conditioned buses.
Khun Somphong says three or four more routes are needed to give the island better service. In addition to the Patong route, a service that connects Saphan Hin and Rassada Pier is also open for bidding.
Unregistered taxis and tuk-tuks, the so-called "black" taxis, are another problem his office is working on, he says.
The PPTO is working with police to reduce the number of black taxis at the airport and other areas by carrying out twice-weekly road checkpoints.
All taxis, tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis must be properly licensed as passenger service vehicles or they face a fine of 2000 baht, Khun Somphong says.
There are 1162 licensed tuk-tuks, which have yellow license plates, and more than 400 green-plated taxis serving the airport and island hotels. There are 2713 taxi motorbikes in three districts, with 1414 in Phuket City, 1204 in Kathu District, which covers Patong, and 95 in Thalang.
Turning taxi and tuk-tuk drivers from "black" to "yellow" has been a priority in reducing complaints, says Khun Somphong.
Metered taxis also carry yellow plates, and rates are set by the transport office. The first two kilometres are 50 baht, 2-22 km are charged at seven baht per km, and more than 22 km is at six baht per km. Metered taxis departing from the airport are required to add a 100-baht surcharge.
Tuk-tuk fares, says Khun Somphong, are negotiated between driver and passenger before departing. Motorbike taxi fares are also negotiated in advance, but each win, or team, of drivers, sets fixed prices for win members to follow.
In 2002, at the urging of the then Governor of Phuket, who had received many complaints about overcharging, the PPTO released a tuk-tuk price guideline and asked drivers to post it in their vehicles.
Sample fares from the 2002 guideline are: Phuket City to Patong 200 baht, Phuket City to airport 340 baht, Patong to airport 320 baht, Kata to Patong 140 baht.
The guidelines were only followed for a short time, says Khun Somphong, since there was no regulation in place to enforce them.
In addition to overcharging, driver behaviour and unsafe driving were common complaints.
The PPTO has set up a 24-hour hotline to receive complaints, said Khun Somphong. The number is 1584.
He says passengers wishing to make a complaint should note the driver's name (written on a badge displayed inside the vehicle), the name of the organization he works for (usually labelled on the side of the vehicle) and the license plate number.
Phuket Transportation: Related Stories
Phuket's Taxi Price Craziness Goes Sky High
Care to spend your money on a taxi from Mai Khao to Patong or a flight from Phuket to Bangkok? The price is roughly the same. Island tuk-tuks and taxis continue to overcharge.
Phuket's Taxi Price Craziness Goes Sky High
Phuket Turns Pink With New City Bus Service
The familiar green Phuket City buses are turning pink and changing in other ways, too. Look for the new buses from October 1; New discount for airlines at Phuket; Dengue fight goes on foot.
Phuket Turns Pink With New City Bus Service
