Electric-powered, VIP taxi cabs to ply Bangkok streets next month

Photo taken on Aug. 16, shows new EV taxi cabs in Bangkok, Thailand, Aug. 16, 2018. The first fleet of 101 electric-powered, VIP taxi cabs are scheduled to be in service in Bangkok from early next month. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

The first fleet of 101 electric-powered, VIP taxi cabs are scheduled to be in service in Bangkok from early next month.

At a press conference on Thursday, Department of Land Transport Director General Sanit Phromwong said the first fleet of 101 EV Taxi VIP cabs will be launched onto Bangkok streets on Sept. 9.

EV Taxi VIP cabs, which are Mercedes-Benz C350e sedans, are powered by BYD e6 electric system, using a GPS tracking system, Snap Shot on-board camera and real-time data links with the department's taxi center, Sanit said.

Passengers can call EV Taxi VIP, many of which will wait for passengers at Suvarnabhumi international airport, via App Taxi OK on their cellphone.

The fare for EV Taxi VIP begins at 150 baht (about 4.41 U.S. dollars) for the first two km and amounts to 16 baht (about 47 U.S. cents) for each following km. It can be paid via credit cards, debit cards, WeChat, Ali Pay and Rabbit Line Pay besides cash.