Airport taxi fares - May 21, 2005

I would like to comment on a recent encounter at the white taxi stand at the airport.

On asking for a taxi, tourists who had just landed from the UK were quoted Lm8 while the price list issued by the Malta Transport Authority, which was stuck to the stand's glass pane, was Lm6 to the same destination. The stand was also unattended and tickets are no longer issued from there.

But these tourists were brave enough not to accept this nonsense. They did not accept to take a taxi from the white taxi stand and walked away, receiving insults from the drivers. They phoned a private garage and got a taxi for Lm6. They did not throw their money away as they did not accept to be cheated.

In the UK one never experiences these sort of encounters. Prices are all fixed and made public in guide books, websites, leaflets, etc. Taxis have a meter and charge accordingly, so that tourists are not cheated, as they are here. Why don't we do things in an orderly and professional manner like our counterparts abroad do?

And what about drivers' manners? If they are polite to tourists and the public it would reflect much better on the country. Foul language should never be addressed to tourists.

These comments also apply to our public transport bus drivers. Their attitude towards passenger safety should also change. The bus should not drive off before passengers are seated. To get off at a bus stop, passengers should first wait for the bus to stop and then get up from their seat. And no drivers should be seen playing loud music, smoking or using mobile phones while driving.

A smart uniform for drivers is also important. What impression does a driver in shorts, a sleeveless T-shirt, flip flops and so on give to our tourists. I feel that taxi and bus drivers need to be educated in how to deal with their customers and to be patient, especially with the elderly tourists. Drivers should be helpful, even if tourists do not render a service from them, and no foul language is to be addressed to anyone.

I wish that we in Malta could improve these basic standards. We would all be able to enjoy a better life.