What Taxi's Should You Trust? || Bali Taxi Feud 2019

The Taxi Feud that isn’t getting any better.
When choosing whether to ride share or use a local taxi service, keep in mind the rules and opinions from the drivers. Luckily, there seems to be a solution at the end of it all.
In an effort to gain A Deeper Understanding, I visit local stands in popular tourist areas and go to the airport to talk with Taxi Drivers about prices and conflicts within the Taxi System.
AIRPORT TAXI DRIVERS MONEY GOES TO:
1.5 MILLION PER YEAR, FOR AIRPORT PARKING
% TO THE BOSS
% TO AIRPORT TAX
% FOR INSURANCE
% FOR PETROL
% FOR CAR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE
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Courtesy of the amazing artists at:
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The gear I love and travel with (cameras, camping equipment, & travel essentials):
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Who is TracingThought?
Ashlei Payne is an independent photojournalist and filmmaker, eager to go beyond the already told story. Her slogan and mantra, “A Deeper Understanding,” is the driving force behind all of her work. Ashlei focuses on capturing the unexpected, overlooked, and sometimes shunned realities of our world. As she traverses through murky waters, personal determination, and high-intensity moments, the end product is always in its purest form. For more information, visit www.tracingtho...

[@madgaming476]

It's the same thing that happened in all Indonesia cities, really. The conventional taxi are simply losing to the online taxi like Grab and Gojek. Online taxi has better price and service, and they can't scam you because of company regulation. In order to compete, the conventional taxi services 'ban' certain areas for the online taxi. With no competition in the 'banned' area, local taxi charges ridiculous amount of money for their service. This create unfortunate situation for people who want to get around using cheap transportation. This is also why so many tourists choose to rent scooters because it's far more convenient convenient and cheaper. Just trying to explain stuff based on my 3 years experience getting around Bali

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

You pretty much hit the nail on the head! Great written explanation Madiana. Very excited to see how the local app works!

[@sandyyeo4238]

Also, locals can work as drivers for such apps and benefit from the employment opportunity. I been scammed by one of the drivers who literally used violence to extort more money.

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

sandy yeo so many possibilities. Violence is never the answer. Sorry to hear that Sandy!

[@karinamiatantri6504]

Not every online taxi drivers are from outside Bali. I'm a local and always try to ride online taxis. The thing is, conventional taxis are ridiculously expensive with no meter, maybe it's okay for some international tourists but definitely not for a local. It can be 5 times the price of conventional taxis. Maybe online taxis can contribute more to the banjar and community so they are more accepted.

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Karina Miatantri great insight. Thank you! Working with the community is key, I agree!

[@jater10]

This is really good to get each perpective (local taxis, grab, and tourists), and while its a good thing to support local business when traveling such as the taxis whats going on is hindering the local tourism industry long term. The world is advancing with tech which makes it important for easy and convenient options, and destinations that embrace that change will succeed and gain more business for the likes of the drivers versus those stuck in their ways. Also with tech, things are more transparent as anyone could post a bad experience on social media - which hurts the businesses in destination as a whole which hurts the local economy in the end. Tourists visiting a place like Bali don't mind paying fares even if it may slightly be higher than normal. They just don't want to be ripped off.

[@discochan]

I like hiring a local driver to take us around. We ended up hiring the brother of our hotel butler and he was great

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

discochan that’s so fun to hear! I think word of mouth is such an important part to authentically traveling.

[@Mynameismurph]

I got scammed by the noble “local” driver before when I was in Bali. Over charged me. Didn’t turn on the meters. This was in 2018

[@jesdecruz8383]

Well, just have a proper taxi rank/stand at the airport and use meter as per required by law. All will be settled. Look at how Singapore does it.

[@mohamedsalah2368]

exactly , they come up with crazy prices and harass to take it , no wonder people get tired of them .

[@MsYaabja]

I will Go with Grab. and uber....Just you are local doesn't give you the right to overcharge me for fckn taxi ride...Its my money and i choose the right price and comfort.

[@noisettevintage]

Honestly online, i dont use grab, i use gojek which is a local company and the drivers are local. Those “local” drivers are sometimes not even local balinese themselves and they mark up the prices so high, especially for foreigners who doesn’t know any better. If you really wanna support local businesses then use gojek. But then again, i’ve gotten so many balinese drivers who’re just trying to work honestly, without scamming people for crazy prices. I’m not saying that all taxi drivers are bad, but as a local myself, i understand why people would choose online over offline taxi drivers. Or what you can do is, when you find a good driver, just hire them for however long your stay is, they will take you anywhere you want and they money will be going straight to them, not to some big corp.

[@dandandaniel7768]

gojek not even better for local driver income

[@slyellow2travels]

It's important point. Local Taxi driver says "We are local Balinese people" but, there's no proof this is real or not.

[@stuartpasley9242]

Another sensible comment.

[@styledna24]

Thanks for the posting this I’ve arranged pick up from airport for $250.000 to our hotel from Denpasar to our seminyak hotel or about $27 nzd which is very responsible. I’ll be watching out for unfair pricing but it’s better to keep the money to locals than international app companies where the funds go off shore! After learning this I will not use these apps!

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

I’m so glad you found the video beneficial. Have an awesome trip! Taxi drivers are filled with kindness when you arrive, I’m very excited for you. Thank you for watching and getting a little deeper understanding! ✨💛

[@stormidema6817]

WHAT!? 250 dollars!? That's crazy

[@putukaca]

Grab is from over seas but gojek is original from indonesia it's mean a local online transport and the money will not go to the over seas. But the main issue is the price differences between the local transport and online transport. Always have problem at air port and the tourism area.

[@stuartpasley9242]

That's probably slightly high but not too bad. If you're a Bali virgin you've done ok but get it cheaper next time (IDR 200,000)

[@acusticsunri4255]

IDR 250,000 = $17

[@ekayudhasaputra5468]

I wont blame taxi airport for making money. But still I prefer reasonable price. Consequently, higher fare less costumer. As a tourist it just good deal.

[@allisonhoughton6242]

Ah, this one has me conflicted! I think it's interesting to hear about the local taxi drivers, but I also think there's a lot to be said for safe, secure, fixed pricing especially when you're traveling in a foreign country on your own. That being said it looks like this online taxi system certainly has its flaws. A hot topic and very applicable in every region of the world nowadays! Even in New York...

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Allison Houghton oh yeah New York has a lot on this topic, huh? Very interesting!

[@WTG20233]

Local taxi drivers need to stop being local rip off merchants download grab ... and become a grab driver ... or find another career .. that’s life 👍🏻

[@stuartpasley9242]

Exactly. Well said.

[@rayklein1125]

It's called free enterprise. The airport taxi drivers only have themselves to blame, they priced themselves out of the market.

[@TN-uk3st]

Actually can’t bluebirds taxi driver register as grab driver too ?

[@robertostefano1966]

Forget taxis in Indonesia, take Go Jeck it works very well and they are honest, just skip all taxis drivers in the airport, they are simply disonest

[@nazarudindidin7372]

In Jakarta two years ago Go-Jek fighting with regular taxi like blue bird they fight every where in the street

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Nazarudin Didin very interesting! They don’t do this anymore?

[@nazarudindidin7372]

Not anymore they peace now after police collect them to making agreement peace

[@muhammadnajibridho3455]

That always happen in almost tourist city in Indonesia. It's fair to make the price little bit higher for foreigner. But 2x or even more? It's a scam. Even for the same Indonesian (but not local) the price is always higher tho it's still lower comparing the price for foreigner. Customers have right to choose their best price for transport, so I think it's not fair to use "support local transport" as an excuse for forcing tourist to choose them, but they're charging higher price for every tourists in their area

[@friskasalim89]

To me, I always hire Bali local driver. They are much cheaper and they literally wait for you. Their fare also quite cheap and the fare is based on how long u use their service for. However, if I do not have any plan going out too long or too far, I prefer to use gojek instead of grab. I am Indonesian and I do agree with those drivers in the interview, grab are foreign owned, hence I use gojek more.

[@friskasalim89]

However, although I agree that people should support the local transport, I also disagree with those local Balinese drivers at the airport. They overly charged foreigners on the transport fare. Sometimes to go from the airport to seminyak, they asked for 400k. That is like at least 200k more than normal. I mean dont blame foreigners for trying to take another alternative

[@lauralachmanngallo]

Hii, love the video but I am more confused right know 🤣 I'm arriving in Bali tomorrow and I'm going to Ubud if I take a taxi how much approximate will be of it will be better to take another transport? Plss help a friend ☺️

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

laura gallo I’m sorry, I can’t necessarily say how much it would be because I don’t know all of the prices. But I do suggest using a local driver and if you be-friend him/her then save their phone number and use him/her (or their friends) as drivers during your stay! Have a wonderful trip!! 💛✨

[@hotmanhutagalung6051]

Just call me Bali Relations Tour. . I'm professional transport transfer For all Destination in Bali. .

[@notredame6847]

@@TRACINGTHOUGHT not really. I had one , upon appointment, didn't pick us up in the airport. Disappear without reason !

[@patrickblaisehebert5392]

This is a tough one... You definitely want to support the locals so that way the money flows through out Bali, but at the same time you want to be as cheap as possible because you are traveling... But honestly i think i am going to go with the local driver because im sure they have more knowledge about bali and can guide you to the local sweet spots! Great video, great insight on the local problems i love it.

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Patrick Blaise Hebert exactly! 🎼 🎶 money money money monaaayyy- MONAYEE 🎵 Looking forward to when they combine ideas and work together!

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Thank you Blaise! 💛

[@stuartpasley9242]

Haha classic. They'll guide you to "sweet spots" alright. Those "sweet spots" will be owned by their mates and they'll get a kick back for taking you there.

[@jonathanng8671]

E hailing of course, getting ripped off too much times

[@yulirachman]

Here is the thing, if locals want to make money nothing wrong with that, tourist is trully willing to spend more money if the locals are nicely approachable in a good manners, not forcing tourist to splurge money in transportation by saying to support local Balinese, Why tourist being forced at the 1st place upon arrived ?? Why ?? If you need more money, please fix the way you approach tourist, overcharge vs bad service or impression is never worthed, if locals expected to be suppoerted, treat your visitor well

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Yuli Rachman manners- yes!! ✨

[@stuartpasley9242]

Just decide on your transport before you arrive and even better organise it before you arrive. By doing that you know what you're doing when you get there and aren't forced into making snap decisions like going with a pushy taxi driver. From there just ignore the rude, pushy pricks when you arrive and proceed as per your plan.

[@5dkelazzz574]

Grab and Uber join together in Bali ,Grab from overseas malaysia but GOJEK is from Indonesia product .Go bali go ,.....taxi taxiii .....

[@LordMarvin1993]

I just go bluebird! 400,000 for a 10 minute journey takes the micheal

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Lord Marvin 200,000 IDR for a 45 minute ride to the airport is what I base prices off of. That’s a consistent price I receive from local (non app) drivers. Bluebird can be good though!

[@AnmolSingh-nf8xm]

Every driver here has his own price and then they start negotiating.... Its better to use a standard service then to get fleeced.... If these drivers are really serious about saving themselves feom competition, their union should standardize there rates and severely punish those who do not follow the rules. Tourist are vulnerable and they prey on them, thats why customers don't trust them. Till they stop doing that they have no chance of winning

[@sojisurana4261]

I wish more tourist understand this situation. Local driver not bad people. Just try to make money but much much competision. So good video Miss Ashlei ! :)

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Yes lots of competition these days. Thank you Soji!

[@mauricedaou2027]

750000 more than how much i make per hour with a bachelor degree in the US for 15 min drive sorry

[@stuartpasley9242]

Hang on mate you say local drivers are not bad people but is someone stole IDR 200,00 would you think they are bad? Thats what many local drivers do they charge IDR 400,000 from the airport to Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur etc when the price should be IDR 200,000 - 250,000 and by doing this they are stealing. Doesn't that make them bad?

[@slyellow2travels]

Local taxi's service is Bad, It's simply reason. Online Taxi is more cheaper, and convenient, and good rating system about drivers, AND there's no sound Klaxon in a Street!! when I stay in Bali, Local taxi keeping annoying pushing klaxon to me... and overcharging prices... so why we can respect the local Taxi?

[@hotmanhutagalung6051]

You needed A lot for Traveling in Asia brother. . And then you write all the details - and +

[@wanmerah]

To me.. Those capitalist mind of monopoly is stupid.. Those firm used local resource & let local fighting each other while they LEECHING the piece of pie

[@branniganfarnsworth3342]

What happened to the kylo ren guy you used to do videos with???

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Haha my husband has moved back to the states to finish his college degree for Marine Biology! We are very excited to bring our two careers together when he has graduated. But that will be a few years... :/

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

We made this video about 3 months ago but it explains things if you're interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ_RlXuMd893oNk

[@ArDa-id9bj]

Killing me softly...

[@mr-vl9md]

i think online taxi is better

[@charlesroberts2166]

Grrrr! This makes me so angry! Tourists looking for the cheapest price. Compared with what they would pay at home, it's peanuts. Have they any ideal of just how low Balinese incomes are? Would it really break their holiday budgets to pay an extra £5 or so? You choose to visit this beautiful island ... show some respect & support the local people & economy. Rant over!

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

Charles Roberts I’m glad this video got you fired up. We must think about the future! So many people visiting aren’t aware of these local conflicts. Sharing what you know is so very important.

[@charlesroberts2166]

@@TRACINGTHOUGHT ... You're welcome Ashlei :-) It's just one of the things about Bali that I feel strongly about. Take care ... stay safe ... oh, & check your email ;-)

[@TRACINGTHOUGHT]

@@charlesroberts2166 Will do right now!

[@Slainte-Mhath]

I agree when visiting Bali we shouldn't be trying to just get the cheapest prices, but you have to remember there are a taxi drivers and stall/shop owners who overcharge. So it isn't trying to pay less than the correct fare, plus a tip for good service, it is not to subsidise the rip off artists. Drivers touting at the airport and asking for 400,000 when the set fare is 140,000 and you get a Bluebird back to the airport for under 70,000 gives tourists the idea that you have to work to get every price down. Stamping out the rip off artists would go a long way to getting a better deal for those doing the right thing. Just use a Bluebird and ask for the meter to be turned on, if they refuse just get out there is another just behind, unless their set price offer is acceptable and you like the driver. Use google maps (download map on hotel wifi - offline works well, if needed) and watch where you are going if you are worried. Ask your hotel how much taxi would be to where you are going to get an idea and Reward the good drivers with a tip. It wont take long for you to know what you will pay, but the same trip at different times will vary due to traffic. Plus always remember 10,000R is just $1.

[@stuartpasley9242]

@@Slainte-Mhath Great comment. Bought some sense to this BS. All this carry on about people in Bali being poor and will it hurt us to pay a little extra. Firstly there is plenty of money in Bali. Most of the poverty you see is a perception based on how we live in the western world but most Balinese have plenty of money to live very comfortably for their culture. Secondly the cost of living in Bali is so cheap compared to the western world and local prices are even cheaper than the bule (foreigners) get there less money is needed to life well. As you say it is not trying to beat them down below what it is worth. It is just getting it down to the correct price, not some inflated price that they've dreamed up based on how much money they think they can get out of you. Case and point, many time I been in the markets and said how much for this t-shirt. IDR 500,000 they say (AUD $50.00). I know it is worth IDR 30,000 (AUD $3.00) and at that price they are still making money and that they won't sell it to you unless they make money. Are they trying to rip me off by trying to get me to pay IDR 500,000 for a t-shirt that is worth IDR 30,000. You bet your pants they are and they will do it all day every day if they can. Taxi drivers in Bali are no different so you have to act accordingly. The place is amazing, the culture is awesome and the people are lovely but you have to understand the cultural (part of which is to get as much money out of bule as possible) and be on your toes to avoid being ripped off. Like you said get a Blue Bird taxi tell them to put the argo (meter) on. If they don't turn it on, get out and find another. If your confident to set a price before you move then don't use the meter if you want to.

[@simpleone1108]

To many poor tourist come to Bali,

[@stuartpasley9242]

Oh right and what would happen to the economy if they didn't???

[@icukronggo3381]

Really not educating video, , bla bla bla, , grab driver was overseas . . We're still in one country, , grab was from malaysia . . Miss do you know where that pizza hut, mc donald etc comin from, ,and why they can make a lot of outlet and big . . .?????? Just get another content to get ??????

[@stuartpasley9242]

HUH?