PHUKET: Authorities in the Phuket district of Karon - a stronghold for tuk-tuk and taxi drivers - aim to clear most of them off the streets, a meeting heard yesterday.
A four-point plan was now underway to bring the taxis and the tuk-tuks more under control of the Karon tessaban council, the gathering at the Land Transport office in Phuket City was told.
''We are adopting an idea from Hua Hin to reduce congestion on the roads and the footpaths,'' said the senior officer - or palad - of Karon, Werasak Anekwongsawat.
''Only three or four vehicles will remain parked in the streets at existing ranks. The rest will be waiting at a centre away from the main road, and be called in by walkie talkie as needed.''
Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers have previously rejected a suggestion from the Phuket Land Transport Department that they pioneer a call centre system for Phuket.
Reducing the number of vehicles in Karon's main roads would allow smoother flow of traffic, Khun Werasak said.
Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers were one of nine occupations that the local council oversaw. The occupations included jet-ski operators and beach vendors, he said, and were available only to Karon residents.
''All these groups have to register with us,'' he said. ''There are now four points we are introducing, in concert with Land Transport.''
Parking The aim is to clear the streets and have taxis and tuk-tuks that now occupy most available parking wait to be called to a rank.
Taxi Stands Chaotic and sometimes in public salas or under tents, with drivers using public electricity for tv and cooking facilities, and creating a bad image.
''They are doing it their way,'' Khun Werasak said. ''We want uniform stands and a better-looking outcome.''
Leaders Each taxi or tuk-tuk rank will have to appoint a leader and a deputy leader who will take responsibility for conveying information to their members, and for imposing regulations.
Signage Standard fares will have to be presented at each rank. Approval is pending from Phuket authorities to proposed standard boards that will publicise the fares.
''Once the new rules are in place, the drivers will be responsible for obeying them and will be arrested for violations,'' he said.
A four-point plan was now underway to bring the taxis and the tuk-tuks more under control of the Karon tessaban council, the gathering at the Land Transport office in Phuket City was told.
''We are adopting an idea from Hua Hin to reduce congestion on the roads and the footpaths,'' said the senior officer - or palad - of Karon, Werasak Anekwongsawat.
''Only three or four vehicles will remain parked in the streets at existing ranks. The rest will be waiting at a centre away from the main road, and be called in by walkie talkie as needed.''
Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers have previously rejected a suggestion from the Phuket Land Transport Department that they pioneer a call centre system for Phuket.
Reducing the number of vehicles in Karon's main roads would allow smoother flow of traffic, Khun Werasak said.
Taxi and tuk-tuk drivers were one of nine occupations that the local council oversaw. The occupations included jet-ski operators and beach vendors, he said, and were available only to Karon residents.
''All these groups have to register with us,'' he said. ''There are now four points we are introducing, in concert with Land Transport.''
Parking The aim is to clear the streets and have taxis and tuk-tuks that now occupy most available parking wait to be called to a rank.
Taxi Stands Chaotic and sometimes in public salas or under tents, with drivers using public electricity for tv and cooking facilities, and creating a bad image.
''They are doing it their way,'' Khun Werasak said. ''We want uniform stands and a better-looking outcome.''
Leaders Each taxi or tuk-tuk rank will have to appoint a leader and a deputy leader who will take responsibility for conveying information to their members, and for imposing regulations.
Signage Standard fares will have to be presented at each rank. Approval is pending from Phuket authorities to proposed standard boards that will publicise the fares.
''Once the new rules are in place, the drivers will be responsible for obeying them and will be arrested for violations,'' he said.
Have the DSI people finished their holiday on Phuket?
Posted by Pete on October 9, 2013 12:40