Teerayut Prasertpol, chief of the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO) told the meeting that the aim is to “lead to a better regulated transport system” for the island.
The office will accept applications for legalisation from black taxi drivers from tomorrow (August 29) until September 10.
After that, the next step will be to consider how to bring unregistered minibuses and motorbike taxis into the fold.
Maan Samran, head of Cherng Talay Tambon Administration Organisation (Orbortor) said, “All taxis should be registered and I agree that the local [black] taxis should improve themselves. I don’t think it will be a problem.”
One taxi driver agreed. “It’s okay if they are ready to register applications. Anyway, it should be followed up.”
Mr Teerayut added, “I think that after all these [registrations] have been done, everything will be to the same standard. Drivers will be controlled to charge regulation fares (with fare tables in every taxi), to dress properly, and to have good manners and a service mindset. Taxis will be safer to use and the image of Phuket taxis will be clearer and more correct.”