The win-win way to lasting taxi peace

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2018
The win-win way to lasting taxi peace

Maj-General Manas Chandee, deputy Bangkok director of the prime minister’s military unit, has ordered Grab to cease its ride-hailing services because its drivers are unlicensed, but this will leave riders with inferior taxi services.

I suggest that taxi fares be raised slightly, as proposed by the Thailand Development Research Institute, after thorough evaluation of costs, and that it be boosted every five years, pegged to regional Consumer Price Indices. 
In return, ride-hailing should be licensed and regulated and regular taxis be required to meet the standards set by All-Thailand Taxi, which has been operating successfully under the present conditions. 
Those standards include staff who drive safely and are courteous, have publicly posted ratings by riders, have 360-degree video cameras on board and working seatbelts for all passengers, with GSP-tracked rides and enough third-party insurance to cover all possible harm to passengers.
A solution based on the above should be a win-win for all, and hence be sustainable.
Burin Kantabutra