The Transport Ministry says it will hold public hearings before deciding on whether to green light a taxi fare increase in December.
Transport Minister Saksayam Chidchob said on Friday that the Department of Land Transport (DLT) is considering raising the fixed charge incurred at the start of a taxi journey following a sharp rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The index has risen by 7% since 2017, according to government organisations and NGOs.
Mr Saksayam has told the DLT to calculate the fare increase using the CPI as a barometer; however, the department would have to lower the fare rate if the CPI drops.
Hearings involving both the public and private sectors will be held this month and next month on online and offline platforms.
Mr Saksayam said a decision to raise fares should come by December this year.
The Association of Public Taxi Motorists recently called on him to consider increasing the fixed taxi fare rate from 35 baht to 45 baht in small taxis and 50 baht for bigger ones.
The fixed rate covers the first kilometre of the journey.
After that, the association wants to see an additional rate of 10 baht per kilometre from the second kilometre upwards. The current rate is 5.50 baht up to 10km and 6 baht after that.
The taxi association also wants a stationary charge of 5 baht per minute.
Mr Saksayam said the DLT has introduced 153 electric buses since August and plans to have 1,250 EV buses by the end of this year.
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) and the state-run Transport Co will replace all diesel buses within three years, he added.
