Uber pros and cons to be concluded in 5 months

BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) -- The Transport Ministry will conclude its study on the pros and cons of the taxi-hailing service Uber in 4-5 months as conflicts with conventional taxi chauffeurs are growing. The issue was raised in the National Legislative Assembly. Assemblyman Wallop Tangkhananurak asked at the parliament how the Transport Ministry would handle Uber and solve conflicts between Uber drivers and conventional taxi drivers who were accused of impoliteness, poor and tricky services and misconducts. “Uber is popular. It started here in 2014. It gave 4,100 services a day in 2015 and 4,500 in 2016 because services are good, fares are made known in advance, passengers are not rejected and drivers’ profiles can be checked. But it is illegal. Protest from public taxi drivers may lead to road blockage like in other countries,” Mr Wallop said. In response, Deputy Transport Minister Pichit Akrathit said transport officials and representatives of the National Council for Peace and Order and Uber were discussing possible solutions, impacts and the public interest. Their study on the issue should be concluded in 4-5 months, he said. Authorities would try to create understanding so that services would abide by laws, conflicts be resolved and service users have choices, Mr Pichit said. Pending the study, transport officials and soldiers from the 11th Military Circle will prevent conventional taxi drivers from protesting against Uber with an illegal manner and will encourage commuters to hail legal taxis via the OK Center. Besides, the Transport Ministry would improve the profiles and services of conventional taxi drivers with new regulations to take effect in October, Mr Pichit said. (TNA)