TAKING a taxi is the most convenient way to travel around Yangon, despite the expense being much higher than some other means of transport, according to city taxi drivers.

All the taxi service operators said the service was accessible to any place at any time, saving the commuters time and providing satisfaction. "Taxi service is even better than owning your own car, as the consumers need not worry about the maintenance of vehicles, and the service is easily available throughout the city," a Yangon-based taxi driver Ko Mya Thein said. He said saving time had become more important than ever today, which is why the demand for taxis is increasing.

For a short trip in the downtown area, a taxi charges K500-K600, and those going out of downtown to suburban areas may cost between K700-K1500 which pays for a 5-7 kilometre trip. To the outer suburban areas like Mingalardon industrial park, a commuter will have to pay up to K3000. According to a city traveller who has experienced hundreds of taxi rides, most taxi drivers are ready to charge potential passengers 10-15 per cent more than actual prevailing rates.

"So it is not unreasonable for passengers to haggle over the fare requested," the traveller said. He also said even when a taxi driver demanded a reasonable fare some passengers still asked for discounts. A taxi charges 15-25 per cent more than normal when the possibility of getting passengers on the return trip in the city is low. This is the situation when a passenger wants to be taken to such areas as Golden Valley in Bahan township and new satellite towns on the outskirt of the city.

"But there are many taxi drivers who charge reasonably," he said. "It is difficult to take a taxi during rush hours in the morning and afternoon during which time the service is in high demand, which is why most taxis charge extra fares," he said. He said there were times when catching a taxi becomes difficult for passengers. The problems occur at times of the day during which there is heavy rain and around dusk when taxis are on the way home. In addition to charges per trip, commuters can charter taxis by paying the charges hourly.

In this regard, taxi drivers impose limitations upon the commuters, like the limited areas to travel around and the number of hours to charter. With the fares being charged by hour, it is better for commuters to charter a taxi for a one-hour-drive trip involving in more than four destinations in the city distant about 10 km from the heart of the city, which may cost K2500 an hour. When a taxi is hired for the use of at least three hours, charges drop to K2000 an hour, enabling the commuters to travel up to such areas as Hlaing Tha Yar township. For a half of the daytime – six hours, the driver may charge K8000 to cover the whole trip. To visit many interesting places in Yangon, commuters are suggested to charter a taxi for the whole day – from 6am to 4pm, which is justifiable, paying K15,000. However, if the trip includes a visit to the mid-stream pagoda in Kyauktan township, some 35 km to the south of the city, an additional charge of K3000 is acceptable.

"Wherever we go and however much it costs, it is good to set a itinerary acceptable for both parties," one frequent traveller said. Apart from those services available, there are office staff who use the taxi service to ferry them from their home to offices, and it costs K30,000 a month for three to four persons. Travelling long distant trips can also be serviced by city taxis. It can cost K10,000 for a causal visit to Bago, a historical town some 65 km to north of the city. But to visit pagodas around Bago about K15,000.