BANGKOK, Aug 12 (TNA) — The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) conducted an opinion survey on a plan to raise taxi fares and found that 62.52% of respondents disagreed with it because of substandard taxi services.
NIDA conducted the survey on 1,505 people in greater Bangkok on Aug 8 and 9. It responded to the plan to raise taxi fares from 6 to 6.5 baht per kilometer for the first 10 kilometers of travel. Of the respondents, 62.52% disagreed with the hike, saying the present fares were high, the prices of gas and petrol had not risen to a level deserving a fare increase and taxi services were poor.
Of the respondents, 35.02% agreed with the rise, saying the increment was acceptable, the cost of living was higher and new fares could help prevent taxi drivers from rejecting passengers.
Regarding an idea to raise taxi fares from 2 to 3 baht per minute of traffic congestion, 81% of the respondents disagreed, saying traffic congestion was part of taxi services and should not be an excuse for a surcharge. Meanwhile, 18.07% agreed, saying it would convince taxi drivers to pick up passengers.
Besides, 76.34% of people using taxis at airports disagreed with a plan to raise the surcharge of taxis at airport but 22.15% agreed. Most respondents, 64.77%, disagreed with an idea to impose a surcharge on heavy luggage of passengers at airports but 34.06% agreed. (TNA)
