Motorcycle taxis gain pace, tuk-tuks lag behind
Motorcycle taxis gain pace, tuk-tuks lag behind
Motorcycle taxis have become a booming industry in Vientiane whereas tuk-tuks are struggling to survive.
In 1999 there were reportedly 4,000 tuk-tuks in the capital, but the current figure is estimated at just 1,200 as more people have switched to other forms of transport, including minibuses and motorbikes.
The increase in the number of private vehicles in Vientiane has enormously impacted the tuk-tuk business, forcing many owners to give up and find other work.
Some tuk-tuk drivers told Vientiane Times on Friday that the number of these iconic vehicles will continue to decline as many more owners plan to take up other work.
“We used to earn at least 200,000 kip a day but now we can't even make 50,000 kip a day,” said one man, who asked not to be named.
Meanwhile the number of motorcycle taxis is increasing every year, starting with only 10-15 in 2010 to this year's current total of 60.
President of the Lao Motorbike Servi ce Company, Mr Boualavong Sengvongdeuane, said “We have been operating motorbike taxis for five years. We can confirm that the number of customers is increasing each year at our three pick up stations - the Southern Bus Station, Khuadin Market, and the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge.”
One of the main reasons why many people have turned to motorcycles is because they can go anywhere in town and can zip along narrow roads.
Motorcycles can only carry one passenger per trip, however, so a group of people travelling together will have to use a tuk-tuk as this is likely to work out cheaper overall.
The tuk-tuk owner said their charges were higher than motorbikes which charge 10,000 kip and upwards depending on the distance of the journey. But a ride in a tuk-tuk starts at 10,000-20,000 kip and will likely end up being about twice the cost.
The motorcycle taxi company plans to open a branch in Savannakhet where there is a lot more trade developing between the province and Thailand and Vietnam. The plan is to station motorbike taxis at the main bus station in Savannakhet for trips to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and Dansavanh.
One motorcyle taxi owner Mr Noy Inthavong said “I've been providing transport services to people since I was a child. We used to offer to take people from a roundabout in Vientiane to Phonhong, Thoulakhom and Hinheup districts in Vientiane province.”
