Taxi Service Report

8/3/2019 Taxi Service Report

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First Phase Survey Report

on Taxi Services in BhutanDecember 2009

TransportDevelopmentDivision

RoadSafetyandTransportAuthority

P.OBox196:Thimphu,Bhutan


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First Phase Survey Report on Taxi Services in Bhutan 2009

Transport Development Division, Road Safety and Transport Authority, P.O Box 196,[email protected], Thimphu, Bhutan

2

Tableofcontents..23

Acknowledgement4

1. ...............................................................................................................................................I

ntroduction ............................................................................................................................. 5

2. ...............................................................................................................................................O

bjectivesofthestudy............................................................................................................... 5

3. ...............................................................................................................................................M

ethodologyused.............................................................................................................................. 6

4. ...............................................................................................................................................L

ocationof

the

survey............................................................................................................... 6

5. ...............................................................................................................................................L

imitations ................................................................................................................................ 6

6. SurveyResultsandItsinterpretation7

6.1Ownership7

6.2Areaofoperation8

6.3 Income9

6.4Fare10

6.4.1 Farechargedperperson/km10

6.4.2

Dothe

Drivers

collect

fare

as

per

the

approved

RSTA

rate?......................................11

6.4.3 WhydontthedriversfollowRSTArate?...................................................................11

6.4.4 Shouldthegovernmentregulatetaxifare?...............................................................11

6.4.5 DothepassengersinsistonRSTArate?.....................................................................12

6.5NumberofTaxisinBhutan..12

6.5.1 OpiniononnumberoftaxisinBhutan12

6.5.2 ShouldtheGovernmentrestrictTaxiregistration?....................................................13

6.6SeatingCapacityinaTax13

6.6.1

Seatingcapacity

in

ataxi..13

6.6.2 Numberofseatstobeallowedinataxi13

6.7 TaxiStandards/Brands14

6.7.1 ShouldtherebeuniformTaxibrands?.............................................................................14

6.7.2 WhichbrandoftaxishouldbepermittedinBhutan?......................................................14

6.7.3 WhichisbestvehicleastaxifromtheMarutiCompanybrand?.....................................15


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3

6.7.4 WhichisbestvehicleastaxifromtheHyundaiCompanybrand?...................................15

6.7.5 WhichisbestvehicleastaxifromtheToyotaCompanybrand?.....................................15

6.7.6 WhichisbestvehicleastaxifromtheMahindraandMahindraCompanybrand?.........15

6.7.7 WhichisbestvehicleastaxifromtheTATACompanybrand?........................................16

6.7.8 WhichisbestvehicleastaxifromtheKIACompanybrand?...........................................16

6.8. FormationofTaxiCompanies..16

6.8.1. SupportforTaxiCompaniesinBhutan..16

6.8.2. Whichwouldbeabetteroptionfortaxicompany16

6.9. FutureofTaxiBusiness.....17

6.9.1. FutureofTaxiBusiness.....17

6.9.2. Wouldrestrictedtaxinumbershelptaxibusinessinfuture17

6.9.3. DoesPassengerTransportServicesaffectTaxiBusiness?17

6.10. FamiliaritywithLawsandRules.18

6.10.1.

How

familiar

are

taxi

drivers

with

Road

Safety

and

Transport

Act

and

Regulations?..................18

6.10.2. Dothedriversabidebylawsandrules?.......................................................................................18

7. ConclusionandRecommendations.19

7.1. Conclusion19

7.2 Recommendations.19

8. Listoffigures

Figurei:GraphshowingtaxiownershippatternunderThimphuandPhuentsholingregions..8

Figureii:Graphshowingtaxiownershippatternundertheselectedtowns....8

Figureiii:MonthlyincomeearningrangeofTaxiDriversunderThimphuandPhuentsholingregions..9

Figureiv:

Monthly

income

earning

range

in

the

selected

towns

under

Thimphu

and

Phuentsholing

Regions.10

Figurev:PerpersonfarecollectedbydriversunderThimphuandPhuentsholingregions......11

Figurevi.Opinionofdriversonwhethergovernmentshouldregulatetaxifare......12

Figurevii:GraphshowingopinionoftaxidriversonnumberoftaxisinBhutan.13

Figureviii:GraphshowingopinionofTaxiDriversonneedforuniformtaxibrandsinthecountry......14

Figureix.PercentageofrespondentsfavouringdifferentTaxiBrands.15

Figurex:Graphshowingviewofthedriversonformationoftaxicompaniesinthecountry..16

Figurexi:Graphshowingopinionoftaxidriversonfutureoftaxibusiness17

9. Annexure20


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4

Acknowledgement

My team and I would like to express our deep appreciation to Dasho Tashi Norbu, Director, RSTA for

approving the study and providing necessary support. We would also like to extend our sincere

appreciation to Mr.Sangay, Base In-charge of Haa; Mr.Wangdi Tshering, Base In-charge of Paro;

Mr.Pema Thinley, Base In-charge of Wangdue; Mr.Sonam Tshering, Base In-charge of Phuentsholing

and Mr. Tshering Lhendup Base In-Charge of Samtse for rendering necessary assistance to the team

during the conduct of the survey. Our appreciation also goes to all the respondents who answered the

questions or completed the questionnaire during the conduct of survey at various locations. Efforts of

Ms.Karma Yangdon of the Transport Development Division for her assistance in the conduct of the

survey as well as compilation of the results, is also acknowledged.


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5

1. Introduction

The Road Safety and Transport Authority (RSTA) since its establishment in 1997 hadmademarked

improvement in the provision of passenger transport services in the Kingdom. Besides, marked

improvementsmade inpassengerbusservices,taxiserviceshadalsobeenenhancedand itsoperation

improvedover the years.Taxi servicesplaya vital role innotonlyproviding local transportbutalso

supplementspassengertransportbusservices.Numberoftaxishasgrownsteadilyfromamere340 in

1997 to over 2682 in 2009. Recognizing its important role, the TransportDevelopmentDivision has

initiatedastudy focusingonownership, income, taxistandards, formationof taxicompanies,viability

andfutureofTaxibusinessinBhutan.Throughthissurveyattemptwasalsomadetofindoutfamiliarity

ofthetaxidriverswiththeexistingrulesandregulations.Thestudywasplannedtobecovered intwo

phases.

This

report

presents

the

findings

from

the

first

phase

of

the

study

covering

the

Thimphu

1

and

Phuentsholing2regions.ThisstudywascarriedoutunderthedirectionofMr.KarmaPemba,Officiating

Chief,TransportDevelopmentDivision.

The report is presented in two parts. Part I presents the conduct of survey, its objectives and

methodologyusedandPartIIpresentsthefindingsandrecommendations.

PartI:Theconductofthesurvey,objectivesandmethodology

2. Objectivesofthestudy

Themainobjectivesofthestudywerethefollowing:

TounderstandtheoperationoftaxiservicesintheKingdom;

Tofindouttheopinionofthetaxioperatorswithregardtofare;

Tofindouttheincomeandviabilityofthetaxioperators;

1ThimphuregioncoversParo,Haa,WangdueandPunakhaDzongkhags2PhuentsholingregioncoversChhukhaandSamtseDistricts


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6

Togatherviewsoftaxidriversontaxibrands;

TounderstandwhatthedriversfeltaboutthefutureoftaxiservicesinBhutan;

To find out the level of understanding about the laws and rules and regulations among the

drivers;

Tofind

out

views

of

taxi

drivers

and

passengers

on

taxi

standards;

TofindwaystofurtherimprovethetaxisservicesystemsintheKingdom.

3. Methodologyused

A simple questionnairewas designed by the divisionwhichhas been duly endorsed by theDirector

(questionnaire isappendedasannexurei).Thesurveywasbasedonaselfcompletionquestionnaire.

However,asmostofthetaxidriverswereuneducatedtheteamhadtoassistthembytranslatingthe

questionsinDzongkhaandtickingtheappropriateanswersaspertheresponsegiven.

Thequestionnaireisbroadlycategorizedunderthefollowingheads:

1. Ownership:Thishasbeenbroadly categorized into three categories Selfowned,Sharedand

Hiredcategory.Selfownedmeansthetaxi isregistered inthedriversnameand isrunbythe

owner. Sharedmeans either the taxi isjointly owned by two persons or the relative of the

ownerisoperatingthetaxi.Hiredmeansthatthedriverhastakenthevehicle(taxi)onhire/rent

fromtheownerforafixedmonthlyrental/hiringcharge.

2. Areaofoperation:Areaofoperationinthisquestionnaireisbroadlycategorizedintolocaland

longdistance.LocalwouldmeanthattheTaxioperateswithinthesameDzongkhagorthetown.

Longdistance

means

the

taxi

operates

on

inter

Dzongkhag

routes.

3. Income:Meanstherangeofmonthlyincomeearnedbythetaxi.

4. Fare:meansthetaxifareapprovedbytheRoadSafetyandTransportAuthority.

5. NumberofTaxisinBhutan:Meansthetotalnumberoftaxisregisteredinthecountry.

6. SeatingCapacity:Meansthenumberofseatsinataxiwhichincludesthedriver.

7. TaxiStandards:Meansthetypeanddifferentbrandsofvehiclesoperatingastaxi.

8. Formation of Taxi Companies:TaxiCompanywouldeithermeana singlecompany runbyan

individualoracompanyformedbymanytaxiownersrunningunderonecompanybanner.

9. FutureofTaxiBusinessinBhutan:Meansthefuturebusinessprospectsofthetaxibusinessin

Bhutan.

10.Familiaritywith

Laws

and

rules:

Means

the

familiarity

of

the

drivers

with

the

Road

safety

and

TransportActandRegulations 1999.

4. Locationofthesurvey

In order to cover wider views, the survey was conducted at various locations under Thimphu and

Phuentsholing regions. Paro, Haa,Wangdue and Thimphu towns were covered in Thimphu region.


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7

SamtseandPhuentsholingtownswerecoveredunderPhuentsholingregion.Thesetownswereselected

inviewoflargenumberoftaxisoperatingwithinandbetweentheselocations.

5. Limitations

5.1.Lackofviewsofpassengers

Althoughtheintentionofthesurveywastocovertheviewsofthepassengerstoo,ithadtobeforgone

astheviewsofthepassengerscouldnotbeadequatelycoveredduetolimitednumberofrespondents.

5.2 DifficultyingettingwiderparticipationfromTaxiDrivers

Duetothenatureoftaxibusiness,itwasdifficulttogetwidercoverageasthetaxiskeeponmoving

fromplacetoplace.Assoonaspassengersboardataxiithastomove.Thishasbeenagreathindrance

inacquiringwidercoverage.

5.3UneducatedTaxiDrivers

Sincemostofthedriverswereuneducated,itwasnecessaryforthesurveyorstofirstlytranslatethe

questionsinDzongkhaandthenfillupthequestionnaireonbehalfofthedrivers.Thisconsumedalotof

time.

6. SurveyResultsanditsinterpretation

Townsundersixdistricts3underthetworegionsofThimphuandPhuentsholingwerecoveredduring

thesurvey.Atotalof102questionnaireswerecollected.Thefindingsofthestudyarepresentedas

follows:

6.1Ownership

Ownershipwascategorized into threecategories selfowned,sharedandhired.Selfownedhasbeen

definedasthedriverowningandoperatingthetaxihimself/herself.Sharedhasbeendefinedaseither

thevehicleisownedbytwoormorepartnersorthevehicleisoperatedbymembersofthesamefamily

withoutanyhiringcharge.Ownershipwasalsoconfirmedfromtheregistrationcertificateofthevehicle.

Theresultsofthesurveyshowedthat60outofthe102(58.8%)vehicleswereownedandoperatedby

thedriver.Only5outof102(4.9%)ofthevehiclesweresharedand24outof102(23.5%)ofthevehicles

werehired.

Theresults

clearly

show

that

majority

(58.8%)

of

the

vehicles

were

self

owned,

4.9%

shared

and

23.5%

hired. Indicatingthattherearemorenumberofownerdriventaxisunderthesixselectedtowns.

Figures iand iipresent theownershippatternof taxisunderThimphuandPhuentsholing regionsand

ownershippatternundertheselectedtownsrespectively.

3SixdistrictsincludeHaa,Thimphu,Paro,Wangdue,ChhukhaandSamtse


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Figure i:GraphshowingtaxiownershippatternunderThimphuandPhuentsholingregions

Figureii:Graphshowingtaxiownershippatternundertheselectedtowns

6.2.Areaofoperation

Area of operation has been categorized into local only and long distance. Local operation has been

definedastaxisoperatingwithinthesameDzongkhagortown.Longdistancehasbeendefinedastaxis

operatingonintercountryroutes.

90respondentsmentionedtheareaofoperationand12 leftthequestionunanswered. Outof90,49

(48%) of the respondents said that they operate locallywithin the same dzongkhag/town,while 41

Type of ownership


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9

(40.19%)saidthattheyoperateon interdzongkhagroutes.Theresults indicatethatalthoughmajority

ofthe taxisoperate locally,thepercentageofthoseoperatingon interdzongkhagroutes isalso fairly

highat40.19%.

6.3Income:

Monthlyincomeearningshasbeenclassifiedintofourranges:(i)LessthanNu.5000/month;ii)Between

Nu.5000 toNu.10000 permonth; iii) BetweenNu.10000 toNu.20000 permonth and iv)more than

Nu.20000permonth.

Thesurveyshowedthat67outof102drivers(65.68%)earnedamonthlyincomeofbetweenNu.5000to

10000permonth.17outof102(16.66%)earnedincomeoflessthanNu.5000permonth;16outof102

(15.68%)earnedanincomebetweenNu.10000toNu.20000permonthand2outof102(1.9%)earned

incomeofoverNu.20000permonth.

Figures iii and iv presents average monthly income range of taxi operators under Thimphu and

Phuentsholingregions

and

monthly

income

rage

of

the

taxi

operators

under

the

six

selected

towns.

Figureiii:MonthlyincomeearningrangeinNgultrumofTaxiDriversunderThimphuandPhuentsholing

regions


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Figure iv: Monthly income earning range in Ngultrum in the selected towns under Thimphu and

Phuentsholingregions

6.4Fare:Farehasbeendefinedasperkmrateoffarecollectedbythedriversfromthepassengers.The

minimum rate has been kept atNu.10 per Kilometer based on the fare fixed by the RSTA. Five

differentrateswereprovidedforthedriverstochoose.

6.4.1:Farechargedperperson/km:99respondentscompletedthispartofthequestionnaire,while

3respondentsdidnotcompletethispart.Theresultsshowedthat55(53.92%)oftherespondents

saidtheycollectedafareofNu.11perperson/km;34(33.33%)collectedafareofNu.10/km/person;

7 (6.86%) collected a fare ofNu.15/km/personwhich ismuch higher than the approved rate; 3

(2.94%)collected

Nu.20/km/person

which

is

the

highest

rate.

The

results

clearly

show

that

majority

(53.92%and33.33%)collectedtheapprovedrateofNu.11andNu.10respectively.

Figurev presentsperkilometer farecollectedbydriversunder the six selected townsunder the

tworegionsofThimphuandPhuentsholing.

MonthlyIncomeRange


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Figurev:PerpersonfarecollectedbydriversunderThimphuandPhuentsholingregions.

6.4.2.DotheDriverscollectfareaspertheapprovedRSTArate?

Theresultsofthesurveyshowedthataveryhighnumberofrespondents 80outof102(78.43%)

saidthattheycollectedfareaspertheratefixedbytheRSTA.While14outof102(13.72%)saidthat

theyfollowedtheRSTAratesometimesonlyand9outof102(8.82%)saidthattheydidnotfollow

theRSTArate.

6.4.3.WhydontthedriversfollowRSTArate?

Twooptions

were

provided

as

the

reason

for

not

following

RSTA

rate

i)RSTA

rate

is

low;

ii)

Ifollow

marketrate.

Thisquestionwasnotrequiredtobeanswered iftherespondentscollectedfareaspertheRSTArate.

However,67oftherespondentschosetogivetheirview.Theresultsshowedthat39(38.23%)wereof

theviewthatRSTArateislow,while28(27.45%)oftherespondentssaidthattheyfollowedthemarket

rate.

6.4.4.Shouldgovernmentregulatetaxifare?

Onevery importantquestionaskedwasonwhetherthegovernment (RSTA)shouldregulatetaxi fare.

Theresultsshowedthat46outof102(45.09%)feltthatthegovernmentshouldcontinueregulatingtaxi

fare.32outof102 (31.37%)of thedrivers felt that the fare rateshouldbe left to themarket forces.

While9outof102(8.82%)oftherespondentsfeltthatthegovernmentshouldhaveinfluenceoverfare

fixationtosomeextentonlyand14outof102(13.72%)oftherespondentsdidnotgivetheirviews.1

respondentdidnotgivehisopinion.


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Figurevibelowpresentsviewsoftaxidriversonwhetherthegovernmentshouldregulatetaxi fare in

thecountry.

Figurevi.Opinionofdriversonwhethergovernmentshouldregulatetaxifare.

6.4.5.DothepassengersinsistonRSTArate?

86respondentscompletedthispartofthequestion,while16leftitincomplete.Theresultsshowedthat

21(20.58%)oftherespondentssaidthatthepassengersinsistedonfarefixedbytheRSTA.32(31.37%)

oftherespondentssaidthatthepassengersneverinsistedonfarefixedbytheRSTA.While33(32.35%)

saidthatthepassengersinsistedonRSTAratesometimesonly.

6.5NumberofTaxisinBhutan

6.5.1.OpiniononnumberoftaxisinBhutan:

Withthevehiclenumbersgrowingsteadilyovertheyears,thenumberoftaxishasalsoshownasteady

increase. The views of the taxi driverswere sought onwhat they felt about the numberof taxis in

Bhutan.

The results showed that a staggering 92 (90.19%) of the drivers felt that the taxis numbers in the

country is toomuch.1 (0.98%) thought that thenumber is lesswhile8 (7.84%)didnthaveany idea

aboutthenumberoftaxisinBhutanandonerespondentthoughtthatthenumberoftaxisinBhutanis

ok.

FigureviibelowpresentsopinionoftaxidriversonthenumberoftaxisinBhutan


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Figurevii:GraphshowingwhatthetaxidriversfeltonnumberoftaxisinBhutan

6.5.2.ShouldtheGovernmentrestrictTaxiregistration?

AnotherveryimportantquestionaskedwasonwhethertheGovernmentshouldrestricttaxiregistration

inthe

country.

The

response

showed

that

avery

high

number

of

drivers

{72

out

of

102

(70.58%)}

felt

thatthegovernmentshouldrestricttaxiregistrationinthecountry.Only10outof102(9.8%)saidthat

registrationoftaxisshouldnotberestrictedand20outof102(19.6%)refrainedfromcommentingon

theissue.

6.6SeatingCapacityinaTax

6.6.1 Seatingcapacityinataxi

Opinion of the drivers was sought on whether the existing seating capacity in a taxi should be

maintained? The results showed thata veryhighnumberof respondents 69 (67.64%)} felt that the

existing seating capacity should bemaintained.While 26 (25.49%) of the respondents said that the

existing seating capacity should not be maintained. 7 (6.86%) refrained from commenting on the

question.

6.6.2:Numberofseatstobeallowedinataxi.

Although69respondentswerenotrequiredtocompletethisquestion,68oftherespondentschoseto

give theirview.38 (37.25%) felt that thenumberof seats ina taxi shouldbe reduced to5 seats.10

(9.8%)saidthatthenumberofseatsshouldbefixedat8seats.20(19.6%)oftherespondentssaidthat

morenumberofseatsshouldbeallowedinataxi.

6.7)TaxiStandards/Brands

6.7.1)Shouldtherebeuniformtaxibrand?

Opinionsofthedriversweresoughtonwhetherthereshouldbeuniformtaxistandards/brands inthe

country.Theresultsshowedthat53outof102 (51.96%)oftherespondents feltthatthereshouldbe

uniformtaxistandards/brandsinthecountry.28outof102(27.45%)oftherespondentsfeltthatthere

shouldnotbeuniformstandardsorbrandsinthecountry.21outof102(20.58%)didnthaveanyidea

ontaxistandardsorbrands.


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Figureviiibelowpresentsopinionoftaxidriversonwhetherthereshouldbeuniformtaxibrandsinthe

country.

Figureviii:GraphshowingopinionofTaxiDriversonneedforuniformtaxibrandsinthecountry.

6.7.2:WhichbrandoftaxishouldbepermittedinBhutan?

Options for choosing six brands of vehicles was provided in the questionnaire Maruti,

Hyundai,MahindraandMahindra,TATA,Toyota,Kiaandprovisionwasalsogivenforotherbrands.

The resultsof the survey showed thatoutof137 responses4,83 (60.28%) favouredMarutiCompany

brands;10 (7.29%) favouredHyundai companybrand;20 (14.59%) favouredMahindraandMahindra

Companybrand;6(4.37) favouredTata companybrand;7 (5.1%) favouredToyota companybrand;5

(3.64%)favouredKIAcompanybrands;and6(4.37%)favouredotherbrands.

Figureixbelowpresentspreferenceoftaxidriversfordifferentbrandsoftaxis.

Figureix:PercentageofrespondentsfavouringdifferentTaxiBrands

4137responsesareduetotheflexibilitygiventochooseanynumberofoptionsfromthegivenlistofoptions.


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1 5

6.7.3:WhichisthebestvehicleastaxifromtheMarutiCompanybrand?

FourtypesofMaruticompanyvehicleswithoptiontolistothertypeswasprovided.115responseswere

provided.71outof115(61.74%)favouredMarutiVan;11outof115(9.56%)favouredAlto;25outof

115 (21.74%) favouredWagonR; 7 out of 115 (6.09%) favoured Versa; and 1 out of 115 (0.87%)

favouredothertypes.

6.7.4:WhichisthebestvehicleastaxifromtheHyundaiCompanybrand?

78 responseswere provided out of the 102 respondents. 17 out of 78 (21.79%) favoured Hyundai

Tucson;40outof78(51.28%)favouredSantroXing;4outof78(5.13%)favouredHyundaiI10;4outof

78(5.13%)favoured I20;5outof78 (6.41%) favouredGetzand8outof78 (10.26%) favouredother

types.

6.7.5:WhichisthebestvehicleastaxifromtheToyotaCompanybrand?

All together 60 responseswere received.20 (33.33%)preferredCorolla;7(11.66%)preferred Station

Wagon;5(8.33%)preferredYaris;4(6.67%)preferredInnovaand24(40%)preferredothertypes.

6.7.6:WhichisthebestvehicleastaxifromtheMahindraandMahindraCompanybrand?

93 responseswere received in total for thisquestion.A veryhigh {70 (75.27%)} of the respondents

favouredMahindraBolero;10(10.75%)favouredScorpio;9(9.67%)favouredBoleroCamperPickup;and

4(4.30%)favoured

other

types.

6.7.7:WhichisthebestvehicleastaxifromtheTATACompanybrand?

Only 62 responses were received. 26(41.94%) favoured Indica; 8(12.90%) favoured Nano; and 28

(45.16%)favouredothertypes.

6.7.8:WhichisthebestvehicleastaxifromtheKIACompanybrand?


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1 6

Only 58 responseswere received for this brand. 18(31.03%) favoured Sorento; 8(13.79%) favoured

Picanto;and32(55.17%)favouredothertypes

6.8 FormationofTaxiCompanies

8.8.1:Do

you

support

formation

of

Taxi

Company?

51outof102(50%)supportedformationofTaxicompaniesinthecountry,22out102(21.57%)didnot

supporttheidea,24outof102(23.53%)werenotsureandtherest(5)didnotcomment.

Figurexbelowpresentsviewsoftaxidriversonformationoftaxicompaniesinthecountry.

Figurex:Graphshowingviewofthedriversonformationoftaxicompaniesinthecountry.

6.8.2:WhichwouldbeabetteroptionforformationofTaxiCompany?

Twooptionswerepresentedinthequestionnaire i)FormationofTaxiCompanybyagroupofindividual

taxiownersand ii) FormationofTaxiCompanybyoneor two individual.Anyotheroptionwas also

providedasanalternative.

81 responses were received for the question. 40 (39.22%) favoured the first option, 33(32.35%)

favouredthesecondoption,8(7.84%)favouredotheroptionandtherest(20.59)didnotcomment.

6.9FutureofTaxiBusinessinthecountry

6.9.1:WhatdidthedriversthinkaboutthefutureofTaxibusinessinthecountry?

Threeoptionswereprovided (i)Taxibusinesswill improve inthe future; ii)TaxiBusinesswillbecome

worseandiii)Dontknowoptionwasalsoprovidedforthosewhoarenotsure.


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1 7

83 responded to the question, while 19 did not respond. The results showed that 48 (47.06%)

respondentsthoughtthattaxibusinesswillimproveinthefuture,33(32.35%)feltthatthebusinesswill

worsen,20(19.61)didnotknowwhatwillhappenand19(18.61%)didnotrespondtothequestion.

Figurexibelowpresentsopinionoftaxidriversonthefutureoftaxibusinessinthecountry.

Figurexi Graphshowingopinionoftaxidriversonfutureoftaxibusiness

6.9.2:Wouldrestrictedtaxinumbershelptaxibusiness?

87 responded to the question and 15 did not respond. 74(72.55%) felt that restricted taxi numbers

would improvetaxibusiness inthecountry.Only1(0.98%)feltthatrestrictedtaxinumberswouldnot

improvetaxibusiness,12(11.67%)didnothaveanyideaaboutitand15(14.71%)didnotcommenton

thequestion.

6.10 AffectofPassengerBusserviceonTaxiBusiness.

100 drivers responded to the question, while 2 refrained from commenting. 86(84.31%) said that

passengertransportservicesaffectedtaxibusiness,6(5.88%)saidthatpassengertransportservicesdid

notaffecttaxibusiness,6(5.88%)saidthatitaffectedtaxibusinesstosomeextentand2(1.96%)didnot

haveanyideaonthis.

6.11 FamiliaritywithLawsandRules.

6.11.1 FamiliaritywithRSTActandregulations


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1 8

100(98.03%)oftherespondentssaidthattheyarefamiliarwithRSTActandregulations.1(.98%)saidhe

isnotfamiliarwithRSTActandregulationsand1(.98%)didnotcomment.

6.11.2 Dothedriversabidebylawsandrules

85(83.33%)

said

that

they

always

abided

by

laws

and

rules.

14

(13.73%)

said

that

they

abided

with

laws

andrulessometimesand2(1.96%)saidthattheydidnotabidebylawsandrules.

7. ConclusionandRecommendations

7.1Conclusion


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1 9

Thefirstphaseofthestudyontaxiserviceshasbeenconductedasoneofthemajorprogrammesofthe

TransportDevelopmentDivision for theFinancialYear20092010.Seriousattempthasbeenmade to

studythenatureoftaxiservicesunderthetworegions.Thesurveyhasbeenabletocoverawiderange

ofissuesincludingsomeveryimportantonessuchasopiniononi)numberoftaxiinthecountry,ii)need

for

restriction

of

taxi

registration,

iii)

fare

fixation,

iv)

income

earnings,

v)

ownership

pattern,

vi)

FormationofTaxiCompanies,vii)theneedfortaxibrandsetc. Thereportprovidesataglanceresults

onimportantissuesconcerningtaxiservicesinthecountry.Thesecouldbeusedasimportantevidence

fordecisionmaking.Thereportcanalsobeusedasreferenceforconductingsimilarkindofstudyinthe

future.

7.2Recommendations

7.2.1Thisreportcoveredthe two largerregionsofThimphuandPhuentsholing. Inorder tocoverthe

whole

country,

the

second

phase

of

the

study

covering

the

Gelephu

and

Samdrupjongkhar

regions

must

alsobeundertakentocompletethereport.

7.2.2A separate study focusing on Taxi service userswould be very useful in order to have clearer

understandingonproblemsandissuesrelatedtoTaxiServicesinthecountry.

7.2.3Thefindingsofthisstudyshowedthatthetaxidriverswereoftheviewthatthenumberoftaxisin

thecountryistoomuch.Theyarealsoinfullsupportforrestrictingtaxiregistrationinthecountry.This

is in line with the results and recommendations of the Surface TransportMaster Plan2007. It is

therefore, strongly recommended to restrict or limit taxi registration in the country to improve the

qualityofservicesthroughimprovementoftaxibusiness.

7.2.3 Theresultsofthissurveyalsoshowedthatahighpercent(31.28%)ofthedriverswereoftheview

that fare should be left to themarket forces. It is therefore, recommended to further review/study

whethertheGovernment(RSTA)shouldcontinueregulatingTaxiFare.

7.2.4ThesurveyresultsalsoshowedthatmajorityoftheTaxiDriversarefamiliarwiththeRSTactand

regulations. This could be the resultof the refresher courses conducted for the taxidriversprior to

issuance of license. It is therefore, recommended that the Professional Drivers course should be

continuedwithsomeimprovementincoursecontent,procedure,frequencyofthecourseandaboveall

overallimprovementinthequalityofthecourse.

Annexure-i

Questionnaire on Study on Taxi Services in Bhutan (1st

Phase : Thimphu and

Phuentsholing Region)


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Taxi Registration No=

Date of Registration as per RC..

Driver/Owners Name.

Location of Interview...

(Tick the relevant box)

(1)Ownership

(i) Self

(ii) Shared(iii) Hired

(iv) Others (Please specify)..

2) Area of operation

Please specify:.

3) Income

(i) Less Than Nu.5000 per month

(ii)Between Nu.5000-Nu.10000 per month

(iii)Between Nu.10,000 to 20,000 per month

(iv)More than Nu.20000 per month

4) Fare

4.1) Per Kilometer fare (Calculate based on distance travelled and total fare collected i.eTotal Fare/Distance)

(i) Nu.10

(ii)Nu.11

(iii)Nu.15

(iv)Nu.20(v)More than Nu.20

4.2) Do you strictly collect the fare fixed by the government (RSTA)

(i)

Yes(ii)Sometimes(iii)No

If no, answer question4.3.

(4.3) Why dont you follow the fare rate fixed by the Government?


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(i) Government (RSTA) rate is low(ii)I charge the rate as per market demand

(4.4) Do you think government should regulate taxi fare?

(i)

Yes(ii)No (Fare should be left to market forces)(iii)To some extent

(iv)Dont know

(4.5) Do the passengers insist on fare fixed by the Government (RSTA)?

(i) Yes

(ii)No(iii)Sometimes

5) Number of Taxis in Bhutan

(5.1) What is your opinion on number of taxis in Bhutan?

(i) Too many

(ii)Too less

(iii)Dont know

5.2) Do you think the government should restrict number of taxi registration in the

country?

(i)

Yes(ii)No

(iii)Dont know

6) Seating Capacity of Taxis

6.1) Do you think the existing seating capacity should be maintained

(i) Yes

(ii)No(iii)Dont Know

If no ,answer question 6.2

6.2) Maximum seating capacity should be

(i) Increased to 15 seats

(ii)Reduced to 8 seats(iii)Reduced to 5 seats


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(iv)Other (please specify)..

7) Taxi Standards/Brands

7.1) Should there be uniform Taxi brands in Bhutan?

(i) Yes

(ii)No

(iii)Dont Know

7.2) Which brand do you think should be permitted as taxis in Bhutan

(i) Maruti(ii)Hyundai

(iii)Mahindra & Mahindra

(iv)

Tata(v)Toyota

(vi)Kia

(vii) Others (Please specify).

7.3) Which among the following do you think would be the best type of taxi for Bhutan?

a) Maruti Brands

(i) Maruti Van

(ii)Maruti Alto

(iii)Maruti Wagon-R(iv)Maruti Versa

(v)Others (please specify).

b) Hyundai Brand

(i) Tuson(ii) Santro Zing

(iii) Hyundai I -10

(iv) Hyundai I-20(v) Getz

(vi)

Others (Please specify)

c) Toyota Brand

(i) Corolla

(ii) Station Wagon

(iii) Yaris(iv) Innova


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(v) Others (Please specify)..

(d) Mahindra and Mahindra brand

(i) Bolero

(ii)

Scorpio(iii)Bolero Camper(iv)Others (Please specify)

(e) Tata Brand

(i) Indica

(ii)Nano

(iii)Others (Please specify)

(f) Kia Brand

(i) Sorento

(ii) Picanto

(iii) Others (Please specify).

(8) Formation of Taxi Companies

8.1. Do you support the idea of forming taxi companies in the country?

Yes

No

Not sure

8.2. Which would be a better option?(i) Formation of Taxi Company by registering taxis belonging to individuals under one

company.

(ii) Formation of Taxi Company by one or two individuals by employing drivers for Taxis

bought by the owners.(iii) Other options, please specify.

(9) Future of Taxi Business in Bhutan

9.1. What do you think about the future of Taxi business in Bhutan?

(i) Improve

(ii)Become worse(iii)Dont Know

9.2. Do you think, restricting taxi numbers in the country will improve taxi business?


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(i) Yes(ii)No

(iii)Dont Know

9.3 Will passenger transport bus services and city bus services affect taxi business?

(i) Yes(ii)No

(iii)To some extent

(iv)Dont know

10. Familiarity with Laws and rules?

10.1. Are you familiar with RST act and regulations?

(i)

Yes(ii) No

10.2 Do you abide by the laws and rules?

(i) Always

(ii)Sometimes

(iii)Not at all

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME

Documents

Taxi Service Report