Higher fares for taxi rides is expected very soon — even this week — acting Land Transport Department chief Chairat Sa-nguanchue said on Tuesday.

The new taxi fare will be set at 35 baht as the flagfall rate as before but will increase by 50 satang for every kilometre actually travelled.

The Transport Ministry is expected to make an official announcement of the new taxi fare with immediate effect in the next few days, the department head said.

His statement apparently contrasted to earlier demands by drivers of LPG-fuelled cabs who had demanded a 40-baht flagfall fare which might increase in a range of 4.20 baht to 6.50 baht for each of further kilometres.
 
Mr. Chairat added that the number of taxis, currently numbering as many as  90,000 throughout Bangkok and outlying areas, would likely be reduced in proportion to the number of potential taxi passengers in years to come.

The fewer the taxi cabs, the more earnings for the taxi drivers, he said.
 
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