Majority have not used Uber: Poll

Most Thais have never used the car-hailing service of Uber, or Uber taxis, according to the result of a survey by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.

The poll was conducted on 1,250 people aged 18 and over of various levels of education and occupations throughout the country to compile their opinions on pubic taxis, which are legal, and Uber taxis, which are not yet legalised.

On public taxis, a majority of people, 78.08%, said they have used their services and 21.92% have not.

A majority, or 75.51%, of users of public taxis said they have encountered problems using their services while 24.49% have found no problems.

Of those who have encountered problems, 82.5% said the problems are over taxis refusing to take passengers. The other problems include the condition of the taxis (29.99%), taxi drivers not taking a shortest route to the destination but going around (28.09%), and, taxi drivers being impolite (25.64%).

Regarding Uber, most of the respondents, 46%, said they do not know about it and have never used it; 41.2% know about it but have never used it; and 12.8% said they know it and have used it.

Most or 55.67% of those who know Uber and have used its service said they have some worries. while the rest said they have no worries at all.

Asked which between a public taxi and a Uber taxi they would pick if they need a service, 42.81% said it depends on the situation, urgency and costs; 30.07% said they will use a regular public taxi; and, 25.19% said they will take a Uber taxi although it is not yet made legal but offers better services.