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8/3/2019 Taxi Service Report
1/24
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,e-mail-trdd@rsta.gov.bt, 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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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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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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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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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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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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(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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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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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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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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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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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
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