Uber vs. taxis showdown in Chiang Mai

Problem of poor & expensive taxis solved by new Uber & Grab technology, so legalize them say devoted customers after crackdown.

TRANSPORTATION & THE LAW

Uber vs. taxis showdown in Chiang Mai

2/03/2017
Soonruth Bunyamanee

The Chiang Mai land transport office is launching tougher operations to crack down on illegal Uber and Grab Taxi services.

This has.sparked fierce criticism from netizens who say they provide a decent alternative to conventional taxis.

100 DRIVERS ORDERED TO REPORT TO AUTHORITIES, 8 SHOWED UP

More than 300 Uber and illegal Grab taxis are said to be in operation in Chiang Mai while the number of legitimate legally registered taxis is about 400.

More than 100 drivers found to run the illegal services were summoned report to report to the land transport office, but only eight of them showed up.

The office is considering confiscating the car registrations and driving licences of those who fail to report when they renew their annual car registration.

VIRAL VIDEO OF CRACKDOWN SPARKS ANGER AMONG UBER CUSTOMERS

Netizens were angry over a viral video clip posted on a Facebook page by Surapin Khomranats, in which a provincial transport official arrests an Uber driver in a sting operation.

The official, posing as a legitimate passenger, called him to the land transport office.

In the video clip authorities are seen turning up at the vehicle and fining the driver.

UBER ALTERNATIVE TO POOR TAXIS & SONGTAEWS IN CHIANG MAI

X The video has drawn criticism from netizens who complain of poor and expensive services provided by conventional taxis and song taews in Chiang Mai.

They have called on authorities to legalise app-based taxi services.

"I have used both Uber and normal taxis and can say for sure Uber is better in terms of service, fares and access," netizen Charatwit Saengchan said.

UBER DRIVERS ARRESTED & FINED

Chanchai Keerapaeng, the Chiang Mai land transport office chief, said the incident on the clip occurred on Monday. He defended the sting, saying the office needs to use all measures to crack down on illegal taxi services or staff could be accused of dereliction of duty.

The authorities arrested five Uber taxi drivers Wednesday. They were fined up to 2,000 baht each.

The office receives many complaints from legitimate taxi service operators about the increasing number of illegal taxis in the province despite the fact the office had rejected a request by Uber and Grab Car to launch services there.

UBERISATION OF THE ECONOMY

Worldwide services such as Uber have taken business away from small business people such as taxi drivers and handed them over to a network of informal freelance service providers who connect with customers via a mobile phone app.

Uber freelancers would typically be people who own a car and want to earn extra money with the car when they have some freetime.

Prices are typically lower and customer satisfaction is monitored via the app, allowing a higher quality service to be offered.

This has been called the Uberification or Uberisation of the economy (or the "gig economy") and has resulted in protests and legal actions around the world (see here).

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/1207349/blitz-on-uber-taxis-upsets

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