Prajin backs taxi surcharge rises, but wants AoT to pay

A Transport Ministry committee has finalised its study on taxi surcharge increases, recommending the surcharges be raised to 75 baht for normal taxis and 95 baht for larger taxi vans at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

Transport Minister Prajin Juntong said yesterday he has received the report submitted by the panel. The panel has proposed the taxi surcharge be increased from 50 baht to 75 baht for normal taxis, and from 50 baht to 95 baht for taxi vans.

However, ACM Prajin said he wanted the rates to be a little lower than the figures proposed. He also suggested Airports of Thailand (AoT) should shoulder the costs of the hike during the first six months.

The burden of the proposed surcharge increases should not be passed onto passengers, ACM Prajin said.

Taxi drivers may use receipts to claim compensation from the AoT, he said, adding the AoT should also improve the way it manages taxi services at the airports by increasing taxi pickups by each driver from four times to six to eight times a day.

A Transport Ministry source said it is likely the rise in taxi surcharge rates may end up at 60 baht for normal taxis and 80 baht for larger taxi vans, as suggested by ACM Prajin, although AoT may not oppose the proposal that it shoulder the increased surcharges.

Deputy permanent secretary f or transport Phongchai Kasemtaweesak and Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith will discuss t he details with the AoT and the Land Transport Department.

The increases are still undecided, but Mr Phongchai insisted that in principle the public must not be left to bear the increased costs.

An AoT source said that in principle taxi fees must be shouldered by passengers, and they are not the AoT’s responsibility.