Bolt Taxi in Pattaya and Bangkok

[TotallyOz]

I have used Grab for ages and in Bangkok, I like it. But, in Pattaya, holy shit, the prices are insane. This week, I was going from the Royal Cliff to Salt and Pepper in Soi Day night for lunch. The cost for Grab was 220 baht. My boyfriend pulled out his Bolt application and the cost was 47 baht. That is a huge difference.

Now, he sees the same thing in Bangkok as Bolt is the only one he used. I like Grab's SUV feature when I go somewhere so I have stuck to that.

[Ruthrieston]

I must say that Bolt in Pattaya has transformed my travelling around and means that I no longer need to rent a car once a month to do my big shopping. Also I no longer need to risk my life clinging to the back of a motorbike taxi. I pay less to travel in an airconditioned car than I used to pay for the motorbike taxi. Wonderful! 

[spoon]

Hope bolt taxi will still be around on my next visit. I dont mind the baht bus but those are on very limited route. So i took motorsai and if like u say, its cheaper to get air-con car taxi, its a no brainer.

[Guest]

On 9/15/2021 at 2:08 PM, TotallyOz said:

I have used Grab for ages and in Bangkok, I like it. But, in Pattaya, holy shit, the prices are insane. This week, I was going from the Royal Cliff to Salt and Pepper in Soi Day night for lunch. The cost for Grab was 220 baht. My boyfriend pulled out his Bolt application and the cost was 47 baht. That is a huge difference.

Now, he sees the same thing in Bangkok as Bolt is the only one he used. I like Grab's SUV feature when I go somewhere so I have stuck to that.

I've also thought the Grab prices are ridiculous in Pattaya, so it doesn't get used.

For what it's worth, Uber prices where I live in the UK are uncompetitive.   Now some of the local taxi companies have their own app, which is both cheap and convenient. 

Go to somewhere like Phnom Penh and all the new Indian made Tuk Tuks are using "Pass App", which is ridiculously competitive.  Also no farang pricing.

 

So I don't think taxi apps are a winner takes all monopoly, but it's a case of using whatever is optimum locally.    Thanks for the advice regarding Bolt.

 

 

 

[reader]

From The Thaiger

Taxi hailing apps legalised

Taxi hailing apps, with fares starting at 40 baht, have now been officially approved for use in Thailand, having received the sign off by Minister of Transport Saksayam Chidchob. The new ruling allows companies to apply for permissions to operate using mobile apps, subject to a 30-day trial period.

The Minister expects 10,000 taxis of up to 7 passenger capacity to be signed up for the programme and available in Bangkok. Taxis will be categorised into 3 different vehicle types from small taxi cars to large taxi vans with travel rates priced accordingly.

For the cheapest taxi option, rates will start at 40 to 45 baht for the first 2 kilometres and then will charge between 6 and 10 baht for each additional kilometre. Midrange taxis will start at 45 to 50 baht with 7 to 12 baht per kilometres after the first 2 kilometres. The largest taxi size will have pickup fees that include the first 2 kilometres priced at 100 to 150 baht, with additional kilometres costing 12 to 16 baht each.

To avoid price gouging, hailing charges to order or flag down the taxi has been limited to 20 baht maximum. Waiting or idling in traffic will be charged at a rate of 2 baht per minute as well.

The plan says that when a user orders a ride through a taxi hailing app, first priority will be given to public taxis followed by second priority to environmentally-friendly vehicles. Motorbike taxis are hoped to be added to the programme in the near future.

In order for companies to join, they must have registered capital of more than 5 million baht, a qualified business within Thailand, operate 24 hours a day, and must have never had GPS permissions revoked by providers. Companies that have expressed interest already and qualify for these restrictions include GrabTaxi, Robinhood (Purpil Venture Co), Delivery Hero/Food Panda, Velox Digital (Gojek) and Lineman.

https://thethaiger.com/hot-news/transport/taxi-hailing-apps-legalised-fares-from-40-baht-10000-in-bangkok

[spoon]

1 hour ago, reader said:

GrabTaxi, Robinhood (Purpil Venture Co), Delivery Hero/Food Panda, Velox Digital (Gojek) and Lineman

Doesnt see bolt taxi in the list. Hope they qualify.

[Guest]

This seems like very good news to me.  

Where I have used ride hailing apps, the price they declare is the price you pay and it's all honest & transparent.  

Unlike the fraudulent operations with "Taxi Meter" signs on the roof, where in some cases a more honest sign would read "Taxi Haggle -Will Not Use Meter".

Plus there is no argument about the destination and no incentive for the driver to make a detour or to deliberately drive past your destination.