Next month, the motorcycle taxis that dart through the streets of Thailand will be getting a new feature for the first time in history: a meter.
As an American doing business in Thailand, Paul Giles was amazed that rates for one of the country's most prevalent forms of transportation -- the motorcycle taxi -- were negotiated on the spot, often after a stressful haggling match that left either driver or passenger feeling cheated.
"Your average Joe driver must haggle over fares roughly 500 times a month, usually in the middle of a hectic street, frequently with thick-accented foreigners, and often ending in lost fares or confrontations," Giles said. "Most every driver and passenger we’ve spoken with or surveyed dislikes negotiating the fare. It’s the number one complaint."
Giles wondered why the ubiquitous bikes known as moto-taxis didn't have meters, which led him to think that he should build one himself and sell it to moto-taxi drivers.
As with most modern business epiphanies, Giles headed to Google to find out if someone else's a-ha moment predated his. Amazingly, there wasn't a single mention of a meter for motorcycle taxis that he could find. "The idea crossed my mind in the beginning of 2003, and when I searched online there wasn’t a single mention of it, nothing," he said. "For the most part, I think the idea had been overlooked, like other 'why didn’t I think of that?' ideas."
Giles founded World Moto, and after eight years of research and development released the Moto-Meter, a tamper-proof device that set a moto-taxi fares. In April, the Thai government and a motorcycle taxi association will begin a pilot program to test Moto-Metered taxis on the streets of Bangkok.
The Moto-Meter features several redundant systems to ensure accuracy, including a GPS and inertial navigation system in addition to standard speed sensors found on all meters. In addition, a "black box" records driver inputs in case of an accident, and an "infotainment" screen shows advertisements that earn money for drivers.
According to Giles, the reaction among moto-taxi drivers is extremely positive. "There’s a lot of buzz among drivers that this is a defining moment for their industry, that the Moto-Meter will bring long-sought-after legitimacy to their profession, and that this advancement will improve their lives," he said.
Fleet administrators are also happy with the device, Giles said. "The administrators of these services are finding the Moto-Meter an extremely attractive option, as it eliminates any misunderstandings about negotiated fare prices, which can be a serious concern when the customer's judgment is impaired due to alcohol or other intoxicants."
Giles hopes to have 50,000 Moto-Meters sold in the first year, with eventual market penetration of 10 percent of the world's motorcycle taxi drivers. Additionally, due to the portability of the unit, he has received inquiries from chauffeur and relocation services where professional drivers transport customers' private vehicles.
Photos: World Moto
