Vietnamese taxi operator Vinasun has taken popular ride-hailing service Grab to court in Ho Chi Minh City, claiming that the “illegal operations” of the latter in Vietnam caused its company revenues to fall in 2016 and 2017.A court heard on Tuesday (Feb 6) morning that GrabTaxi Vietnam ran promotions for more than 90 days in a single year, which is against the law, reported VnExpress.Vinasun said it has submitted documents, photos and videos to the court prove this.It is seeking VND42 billion ($1.85 million) in compensation for loss in profits over the two years which is said it suffered as a result of Grab’s operations.Vinasun’s deputy director-general Truong Dinh Quy further alleged that Grab only has to follow three government regulations, while it has to observe 13, which has created unfair competition, reported Viet Nam News.Grab’s laywers claim that Vinasun’s allegations are baseless and that its evidence and methods of calculations are … [Read more...] about Vietnamese taxi company Vinasun sues Grab for unfair business practices – here’s why
Taxis
Govt puts ‘Taxi OK’ scheme in first gear
A total of 5,000 taxis under the government’s new “Taxi OK” scheme, are ready to hit the streets, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said on Friday. The initiative, joined by newly registered taxis, is aimed at improving taxi services following complaints from customers about being turned away by drivers, smelly taxis, harassment from drivers and drivers cheating on fares.Speaking at the launch of the Taxi OK project, Mr Arkhom said the 5,000 legally registered taxis were now ready to pick up passengers.The scheme was initiated to streamline the taxi service and improve the image of public taxis, according to the transport minister.Transport sources said poor taxi services were the main reason why many people had turned to the ride-sharing vehicles.The Taxi OK fare starts at 35 baht plus a 20-baht service fee. Customers can call taxis via a mobile application which is now available for download.Passengers are required to register on the app first. They can … [Read more...] about Govt puts ‘Taxi OK’ scheme in first gear
Hyundai invests in Grab to get into SE Asia taxi app market
SEOUL: South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co said on Thursday it had invested in Southeast Asian ride-hailing firm Grab, as it seeks to expand into the region to reduce its reliance on China following a damaging diplomatic row between Seoul and Beijing. Hyundai's first direct investment in a ride-hailing firm gives it a "foothold" in the world's third-biggest ride-hailing market after China and the United States, it said.Singapore-based Grab, the biggest operator in the region's third-party taxi hailing and private-vehicle hailing sector, has expanded to eight Southeast Asian countries."The deal should help raise the exposure of Hyundai Motor in the region, while responding to the future mobility market," said Lee Sang-hyun, an analyst at IBK Securities.Hyundai's interest in Southeast Asia has grown since South Korean companies were targeted last year in a Chinese backlash over Seoul's decision to deploy a US missile defence system against Beijing's objections.The region of about 500 million … [Read more...] about Hyundai invests in Grab to get into SE Asia taxi app market
New taxi app aims to boost safety, convenience
The Land Transport Department will launch a new app on Jan 25 aimed at improving safety for passengers. Department director-general Sanit Promwong said the Taxi OK app will be ready for download and operational starting from that date. Riders will pay an extra 20 baht for using the app to call a cab, he added.Taxi OK is another attempt to improve service in Bangkok and other provinces.Participating taxi owners are required to install the GPS tracking system, an emergency button and a camera in the passenger compartment linked to both the company that owns the vehicle and the Land Transport department.Bangkok alone has about 100,000 taxis registered with the department and Mr Sanit said about 20,000 have already joined the new programme, which has been on a trial run for some time without an app.Passengers have complained constantly to the department - and traffic radio stations - about drivers refusing to take them where they want to go. According to the department, this … [Read more...] about New taxi app aims to boost safety, convenience
New taxi app for download this month
The Land Transport Department will launch a new app on Jan 25 aimed at improving safety for passengers. Department director-general Sanit Promwong said the Taxi OK app will be ready for download and operational starting from that date. Riders will pay an extra 20 baht for using the app to call a cab, he added.Taxi OK is another attempt to improve service in Bangkok and other provinces.Participating taxi owners are required to install the GPS tracking system, an emergency button and a camera in the passenger compartment linked to both the company that owns the vehicle and the Land Transport department.Bangkok alone has about 100,000 taxis registered with the department and Mr Sanit said about 20,000 have already joined the new programme, which has been on a trial run for some time without an app.Passengers have complained constantly to the department - and traffic radio stations - about drivers refusing to take them where they want to go. According to the department, this … [Read more...] about New taxi app for download this month