Government announces taxi reform

Transport by taxi in Malta and Gozo is to be reformed by the end of March. The Ministry of Urban Development and Roads, along with the Malta Transport Authority (ADT), will be implementing the reform, which is intended to make the service more accessible to the public.

The reforms aim to improve driver behaviour and discipline and include the introduction of a taximeter in each vehicle to ensure that the cost of a taxi trip is better controlled.

The Ministry of Urban Development and Roads said in a statement issued yesterday that the reform is being introduced after 18 months of negotiation between the Government, the ADT and the White Taxis Licensed Amalgamated (WTLA), which represents the majority of owners and taxi drivers.

The agreement with the WTLA has led to other improvements in the taxi service, including better organisation in the area near the Cruise Liner Passenger Terminal, the introduction of taxi booths at Malta International Airport and the Cruise Liner Passenger Terminal, and improvements in ADT enforcement, with the installation of CCTV cameras in areas where taxis operate.

The Cabinet approved the reform last week. This includes the introduction of a code of conduct for owners and taxi drivers. This exercise is intended to speed up the discipline of owners and taxi drivers who behave badly or offer poor service.

On-the-spot fines will be imposed for these infringements, which can be contested before an independent tribunal. The ADT will also be updating its database of taxi drivers through the introduction of new tags which include a barcode and photograph. These will be issued only if the driver and taxi owner sign the code of conduct.

The regulations are also being changed to promote uniformity in the size and make of vehicles that can be used as taxis, while it will be obligatory to wear a uniform and display the tag. The tag can be withdrawn when a serious crime is committed, such as resistance by the driver, violence or theft from passengers and driving under the influence of prohibited substances.

By May 1, every taxi has to have a taximeter installed. The ADT has approved a model that can be installed and their installation is obligatory. There will also be a system of certification and training for the provision of these transport services.

In the past few weeks, the ADT and the Malta Tourism Authority reached an agreement to organise training seminars for the operators. These will be partly financed by the European Union.

The first phase of training will be concluded this year in which 264 public transport operators will be certified, including several taxi drivers. This process will continue until all the operators in the field will be given the necessary training.

"The Government is convinced that, with the goodwill of all the parties involved, the taxi service can become one of the country's assets, even where tourism is concerned," the Ministry of Urban Development and Roads said in the statement.

"The reform aims to eliminate the public's negative perception on this sector. At the same time, these measures, in particular the introduction of the taximeters, should encourage the public to make greater use of this (taxi) service."