PHUKET: A ''mafia'' rip-off is being run by motorcycle taxis carrying passengers to Phuket's new bus station, Phuket Land Transport chief Terayoot Prasertphol, told a meeting this week.

''We can control the taxis, tuk-tuks and motorcycles leaving the new bus station with our schedule of prices,'' he said. ''What we are not able to do is control the vehicles that bring people to the bus station.''

He told the meeting at Provincial Hall in Phuket City that he had learned motorcycle taxi riders bringing passengers to the new bus station in Thepkasattri Road, Phuket City, from the old bus station off Phang Nga Road in Phuket Town were charging 150 baht.

''We gather that the driver gets 100 baht while there's a 'fee charge' of 50 baht that goes to an agent,'' he said.

''The fare charged for the motorcycle taxi just a few kilometres in Phuket City is the same as the fare for a bus ride from Phuket to [the neighboring province of Krabi.''

Khun Terayoot told the meeting that the new bus station had met with praise because of its set prices for all forms of transport, and it was popular with visitors.

A 10 baht pink bus shuttle service links the two bus stations in daylight hours. The new bus station is open from 5am to 10pm. After that time, buses for Bangkok or other provinces depart and arrive at the old bus station.

The old bus station is now the base for buses around Phuket, having switched from a spot outside the fresh market in Phuket Town.

Khun Terayoot said the new bus station could use Internet wi-fi, more ATMs and more parking spaces. He said the nine guards there - seven of them volunteers - were insufficient for the long hours of operation.