15
Nov
Posted on 2007 under Airport Services |
A new website http://www.fairfare.co.uk aims to help travellers and taxi operators to reduce their carbon footprint by allowing taxi operators to advertise these otherwise empty journeys on their website often at bargain prices.
A site gives guidance to passengers on taxi pricing but allows its customers to set the price. For the taxi driver about to depart empty to pick-up a passenger from the airport some revenue is better to no revenue, so FairFare encourages its taxi operators to sell these empty legs for low prices starting from just 1.00 GBP.
Travellers taking taxis to the airport rarely think about the implications for their carbon footprint. Few realise that less than 20% of these airport taxis carry a passenger in both directions. This means that the taxi airport transfers are blighted with waste and needless damage to the environment.
Travellers are aware that their airport taxi can cost as much as their flight but few are aware that their 100 mile airport run results in a 200 mile round trip typically consuming 5-6 gallons of fuel. This is comparable to the amount of fuel used per passenger on a 90 minute European flight on a modern Boeing 737 aircraft.
The public would be appalled at the prospect of aircrafts flying around empty or even at 50% capacity, but we appear to tolerate 80% of our airport taxis are either driving to or from our airport without a passenger and even bestow them with privileges such as dedicated traffic lanes.
One the co-founders of FairFare said, “Getting passengers into these otherwise empty taxis is one of the best ways for passengers to improve their carbon footprint. In addition, the carbon offset is obvious and immediate and not amortised over 10 years by a developing tree.”
Everybody is a winner the Taxi driver, the Passenger and the Environment.
15
Nov
Posted on 2007 under Thailand |
One of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, Bangkok is also the most fabulous shopping destination in Asia. In fact, shopping in Bangkok is truly fun as well as a great experience, with an array of shopping locations, ranging from glitzy modern shopping malls to traditional bustling street markets selling antiquities and designer and traditional jewelry.
In short, Bangkok is a mecca for shopping enthusiasts, and everything including electronic items, computer software and hardware, art and craft items, Chinese specialties, textiles, jewelry, and much more can be shopped here.
Perhaps most popular among the shopping highlights in Bangkok is the Siam Square, which is strategically positioned at Central Station on the BTS Sky Train route. This area is dotted with hundreds of high-end shopping malls, among which one of the most sought after is Siam Center and Siam Discovery Center, within which one can find a number of shops selling branded items.
There is also an elegant cinema complex on the top floor of Siam Discovery Center, with comfortable seats. This is a great place to relax after a day of tired shopping. Located just ten minutes walk from the Siam Square is another much famed shopping spot in Bangkok, namely, Mahboonkrong Shopping Center, dotted with a large number of shops selling quality clothing and electronic items at knock-down prices.
One can also find a couple of shopping malls and department stores, close to the Chit Lom BTS Sky Train station. Among which, perhaps the most significant is the eight-storied World Trade Center, attached with a number of duty free shops. Found on the top floor of the World Trade Center is an ice skating rink. The Central Group’s flagship store, Central Chit Lom Department Store, is also located here. Such shopping centers as Gaysorn Plaza, Maneya Centre, Sogo, and Narayana Phand, a great spot to shop handicraft items, are also situated in this area.
For those who want to shop computer-related items and peripherals at cheap prices, a great way would be to head to Pantip Plaza on the Phetburi Road. This is a paradise for shopping computer items. Every floor within the plaza has a number of shops selling both original and pirated software and hardware items. One could buy copy of VCD movies for a price as low as 100 baht.
A good number of small as well as large shopping malls can also be found along the Ploenchit Road and Sukhumvit Road, such as, Robinson, Ploenchit Plaza, Times Square, Emporium, and Landmark.
Popular shopping areas in Bangkok also include Silom Road, located to the south of the Siam Square. Just few among the shopping malls in this area are Silom Center, Central department stores, Silom Plaza, Thaniya Plaza, Silom Village, and Holiday Inn Crown Plaza.
Shopping at Bangkok would not be complete without taking a tour to Chatuchak market, which becomes alive in the city every weekend. Located near the Mo Chit BTS Sky Train station, Chatuchak market is an incredible outdoor market, from where everything from handicraft items and livestock items could be shopped and that too at bargain prices. Further, you can also find a large number of food stalls in the market, selling delicious Thai food items such as fried noodles, noodle curry, and barbequed satays.
Other popular shopping areas in the city are Bangrak Market, a bustling area which is famed for its flower stalls, engage in selling enormous variety of cut flowers, jasmines, and orchids; China Town, with alleys packed with outlets dealing in almost all types of goods; Pratunam Market, which is a great place to relish hygiene as well as delicious food items; Woeng Nakhon Kasem - a popular spot to shop items such as brassware, old fashioned furniture, industrial items, antiques, and Chinese porcelains.
Above all, for a unique shopping experience, take a tour to some of the most fabulous night markets in the area. Most prominent among the night markets in the city are the Suan Luam Night Bazaar, whose specialty is stalls that sell products brought from every corner of the country.
Pratunam Market Complex, which is a great spot to shop fashion accessories such as handbags, purses, trendy apparels, and designer accessories; Patpong Night Market, which is not only popular for stalls selling designer good at cheap prices but also for night clubs and other establishments conducting sex shows; Buanglamphu Market, a descent place to shop clothing and food items; and the Memorial Bridge Night Market.