[lvdkeyes]

The problem is not Bell, but rather the passengers who are not ready when the van comes to pick them up. I used Bell on Apr 12 and when the van got to a hotel the passengers had just gotten to the lobby and insisted to have their breakfast even though the driver told theen there were other passengers waiting. It would have served them right if he had just told them they would have to get to the bus station on their own and left, but, that is not the Thai way and they want the business. When I get back to BKK on 20th I will check to see if there is a Bell booth at the airport and if they say anything about making a reservation. They have never said anything to me in the past. I do intend to voice my concern about having to wait when other passengers are late, especially waiting while they have their breakfast.

[Thaimo]

Then I don't understand what's so special about their service. What do they expect you to do while selfish inconsiderate people who are not ready on time don't mind making everybody else wait while they have themselves a nice leisurely breakfast, or whatever they are doing? If it were me I would be furious. I'm paying them to get me to the airport. I'm not paying them to make me wait for people who can't be bothered to be ready on time and then I possibly have to be rushed at the airport or even miss my flight. Also, when I get on the van, I'm expecting to leave at the appointed time. I can't believe they expect people to just grin and bear it, and sit around waiting while people are having breakfast. I would have thought the driver would tell them there are other passengers who need to get to the airport and they need to come right now or find another way to get to the airport. If you can't rely on them to stick to their schedule and have to worry they might force you to wait for those kinds of things, then this is not a service I would want to use. That may be the Thai way and they may want the business, but if that's the way I potentially can find myself treated, then they won't be getting my business.

[Wino]

lvdkeyes, on 17 April 2010 - 11:10 PM, said:

The problem is not Bell, but rather the passengers who are not ready when the van comes to pick them up.

The problem is Bell. If the management and staff do not realize they need to somewhat stick to a schedule, then the business will decline. The incident I experienced was at the airport waiting for late passengers. I can see waiting for 10 or 15 minutes but beyond that, the bus should have departed.

[Beer Chang]

It's hard to belive that Bell would turn customers away if seats are available.

Bell is trying to encourage reservations as it will make their operation run more smoothly.

[lvdkeyes]

I used Bell today from the airport to Pattaya. There is no booth, only a sign on a tripod between gate 7 and 8 on the 1st floor. They did not ask if I made a reservation. I talked to the guy about the problem of waiting for late passengers and he said he would tell them in the office. It would be beneficial to everyone who uses their service to let them know when these kinds of things happen.

[Wino]

I like the idea of having two bus companies with the airport to Pattaya route and vice versa. When arriving at Suvarnabhumi, I have the choice of the next available bus to Pattaya. It is not usually a very long wait.

[lvdkeyes]

Of course, the more choices we have the better off we are regarding service and cost.

[Thaimo]

Has anyone who has his own car driven to the airport and parked there? What is the daily cost for parking and how good is whatever shuttle service they have between the parking lot and the terminal?

[lvdkeyes]

I have only been to the airport in my car to pick someone up and there was no evidence of a shuttle from parking lot to terminal. Parking fees are 250 baht/24 hours. The bus is cheaper than the one day parking fee.

[Thaimo]

lvdkeyes, on 22 April 2010 - 08:09 AM, said:

Parking fees are 250 baht/24 hours.

I looked it up. Here are the rates:

[lvdkeyes]

When I looked it up it didn't show rates for long term parking.

[Thaimo]

lvdkeyes, on 22 April 2010 - 04:52 PM, said:

When I looked it up it didn't show rates for long term parking.

In any case, if I make a trip that lasts more than 7 to 10 days or so, I don't think I would pay the price for the convenience of having my car right there at the airport, especially if shuttle service to and from the parking lot isn't any good. When parking starts getting expensive, that's when taking my chances with a service such as Bell or just taking one of the airport buses or a taxi makes much more sense to me. Also, I recently read a post somewhere that while there is some sort of a shuttle service to and from the parking lot, you still have to haul your luggage from wherever you parked to the shuttle bus and it can be quite a distance. I would think if the weather is bad it could be much more than simply inconvenient.

[Beer Chang]

Not sure if Bell picks up on the darkside but after factoring in gas/tolls/wear and tear/being dropped off right at the terminal it makes Bell more cost effective than a car even for a one day trip. Of course the timing has to be right.

[lvdkeyes]

I feel sure they must pick up on the dark side, but the best way to find out is to call them and ask.

[Thaimo]

Beer Chang, on 23 April 2010 - 09:11 AM, said:

Of course the timing has to be right.

Yes, that's a very good point. It's nice that there are many alternatives for getting to and from the airport, but the timing is certainly a factor. Something I don't really understand about some of these transportation services is the fact they are not available 24 hours a day. They start in the morning, but in most cases services end about 9:00pm or so. But many international flights arrive much later than that and many outbound travelers have to get to the airport in the wee hours of the morning. I would have thought most of the transportation companies would want the business, and there's plenty of it, but to my knowledge the only service that runs at those hours is the taxis. That makes no sense to me.

[Wino]

Thaimo, on 24 April 2010 - 02:32 AM, said:

Something I don't really understand about some of these transportation services is the fact they are not available 24 hours a day. They start in the morning, but in most cases services end about 9:00pm or so.

I know Bell Travel Service is a private company and suspect the Airport-Jomtien bus service may also be a money making business. The fact they do not have 24 hour bus service is most probably due to the bottom line. Perhaps the cost of 24 hour bus service is too expensive and the customer demand is not high? It sure would be nice to have a bus available when I arrive at 1 AM, but doesn't look like that will happen. I am glad I can hire a car and driver for 1,000 baht to wisk me away to Pattaya.