March 2nd, 2007, 18:59
Jalopy taxis being ordered off the roads
Bangkok Post
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
Taxis which are more than 12 years old will be ordered off the roads, the Department of Land Transport said yesterday. Police have been asked to enforce the legal limit and arrest the drivers, department chief Silapachai Charukasemrattana said. Mr Silapachai said if the taxi's owner wants to continue using the car it must be re-registered as a private vehicle. This process must be completed within 30 days of the taxi reaching its 12th year on the road. The vehicle would not be allowed to continue operating as a taxi.
He said most of the taxis which have exceeded or are about to exceed the age limit are green-and-yellow ones. Last year, more than 80,000 new metered taxis were registered with the department. About 30,000 taxis would ''expire'' this year.
The department chief said he was concerned passengers in old taxis may not have accident insurance protection. An amendment bill was now being considered by the Council of State, the government's legal arm. It would lower the maximum permissable age of a taxi from 12 to nine years. This would improve safety and help reduce pollution.
Bangkok Post
Motorbikes and taxis to be controlled. Can Tuk Tuk laws be far behind?
Bangkok Post
AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK
Taxis which are more than 12 years old will be ordered off the roads, the Department of Land Transport said yesterday. Police have been asked to enforce the legal limit and arrest the drivers, department chief Silapachai Charukasemrattana said. Mr Silapachai said if the taxi's owner wants to continue using the car it must be re-registered as a private vehicle. This process must be completed within 30 days of the taxi reaching its 12th year on the road. The vehicle would not be allowed to continue operating as a taxi.
He said most of the taxis which have exceeded or are about to exceed the age limit are green-and-yellow ones. Last year, more than 80,000 new metered taxis were registered with the department. About 30,000 taxis would ''expire'' this year.
The department chief said he was concerned passengers in old taxis may not have accident insurance protection. An amendment bill was now being considered by the Council of State, the government's legal arm. It would lower the maximum permissable age of a taxi from 12 to nine years. This would improve safety and help reduce pollution.
Bangkok Post
Motorbikes and taxis to be controlled. Can Tuk Tuk laws be far behind?