The Transport Ministry plans to introduce a Digital Taximeter program — a GPS-enabled system that calculates fares based on distance, traffic conditions, and peak-hour surcharges — to ensure fairer pricing.
Deputy Transport Minister Mallika Jiraphanwanich said yesterday that while previous policies mainly focused on passengers, it was now time to also address the needs of drivers.
She noted that the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is enhancing taxi services by introducing a digital taximeter system that reflects real-time conditions such as fuel costs and traffic congestion, ensuring fairer fares for both drivers and passengers. Ms Mallika explained that the new system also aims to reduce passenger refusals — a long-standing problem among taxi drivers.
She said the current fare rate has remained unchanged for decades, leaving drivers earning barely above the minimum wage amid rising operating costs and declining demand. As a result, the number of taxis in service has sharply dropped from around 100,000 before the Covid-19 pandemic to just 60,000-65,000 today.
DLT director-general Sorapong Paitoonphong said the digital meter framework will be finalised by December.
While the base fare structure will remain the same, the new meters will integrate GPS and traffic data to calculate additional surcharges during peak hours, congestion, or late-night periods after 9pm, ensuring fairer compensation for drivers. He said the initiative represents a technological upgrade rather than a fare hike, similar to systems used in South Korea and Japan.
Initially, only new taxis less than four years old will be eligible to install the new meters, and drivers will be required to cover the installation costs themselves. Older taxis may also participate if they meet DLT standards — being clean, well-maintained, and not engaging in passenger refusals — he said.