Phuket considers registrations for 7,724 additional taxis and ride-hailing vehicles
A study presented to Phuket officials estimates the island needs 7,724 more public-hire vehicles to meet tourist demand, but the proposal has not yet been approved.
Phuket officials are considering allowing 7,724 additional metered taxis and app-based ride-hailing vehicles to register, following a study that found existing supply was insufficient for tourist demand.
Phuket Provincial Land Transport Office (PLTO) chief Adcha Buachan told The Phuket News that the proposal covers yellow-plated metered taxis and app-based vehicles registered under the RY.18 category. Phuket currently has about 1,800 metered taxis and 2,600 app-based vehicles, he said.
The proposal was discussed at a meeting of the advisory committee and working group studying public-hire vehicle numbers at Phuket Provincial Hall on 20 October. The meeting was chaired by Vice Governor Romdon Hayiawae.
The study estimated demand at about 54,839 vehicle trips per day. Its calculations used annual tourist arrivals of approximately 13.04 million, with 63.5% of visitors assumed to request transport. Each visitor was estimated to make an average of 1.56 trips per day during an average stay of 4.88 nights, with an average of 3.15 passengers per vehicle.
The figure of 7,724 represents the additional number of vehicles considered necessary to meet demand, rather than the total number currently operating in Phuket. The Phuket Office of the Ministry of Tourism & Sports recorded 19,412 public transport vehicles of all types on the island as of 30 September, including buses, hired cars, limousines and public motorcycles.
The study also examined seasonal demand and drivers’ operating costs. Surveys found that drivers completed an average of 9.7 trips per day during the high season, falling to 4.5 trips during the low season. The committee reviewed household expenses, debt repayments and fees charged by ride-hailing platforms to assess how many trips drivers need to cover their financial and operating costs.
Adcha said the PLTO was considering approving more RY.18 vehicles and opening registration to additional metered taxis. Applicants for app-based vehicle registration must join a service provider such as Grab or Bolt, obtain a public vehicle driver’s licence, secure certification from the Department of Land Transport, pass a vehicle inspection and complete registration with the PLTO. The registration fee is B100.
Applicants must also provide identification, vehicle registration documents, public vehicle and compulsory motor insurance, and certification from their ride-hailing platform. Metered taxi drivers must hold the relevant public vehicle driver’s licence, complete required training and a criminal background check, and display a driver identification card inside the vehicle.
