New obligations, fares proposed in draft taxi regulations

Draft regulations on taxis issued this afternoon by the Transport Ministry provide that all taxis have to be fitted with seat sensors that detect the presence of passengers and prevent taxis from carrying passengers without the activation of the taximeter.

The 50 pages of regulations are based on a reform document published for consultation last September. The regulations also include rules on light vehicles used for public transport.

Among other clauses, the regulations provide that taxi licences will not be renewed beyond 12 years from the year of manufacture of the vehicle. However, current taxis are being given an extra two-year transition period.

Taxis have to be fited with a taximeter, a two-way communications system, a vehicle tracking device, an emergency button within easy reach of passengers, a Global Positioning System and seat sensors that detect the presence of a passenger and prevent taxis from carrying passengers without activating the taxi meter.

Taxis also have to be fitted with a small, visible, surveillance camera which has to be positioned in a way to capture the back seat area of the taxi. The images shall be transmitted to a control room designated by the ADT and shall only be accessible to the police in the event of a report of a crime.

The taximeters will have to be verified by the Malta Standards Authority following their installation and calibration and the regulations provide penalties for tampering.

The regulations include eligibility criteria for drivers to be licenced to drive taxis - including good repute and conduct - and they oblige the drivers to issue fiscal receipts unless they perform fixed fare trips.

The drivers also have to wear "clean and appropriate clothing".

The regulations provide for fines of up to €3,000 for violation of the regulations. They also include a points system for repeat offences.

The regulations provide that current taxi owners (including garages) will have six months to apply and obtain a new licence and will be exempt from the initial application fee (The application fee for a taxi licence is established at €3,100, with the renewal fee being €250 per vehicle per year).

The regulations also include provisions on mini cabs so that they can now operate throughout Malta and not just in Valletta.

MAXIMUM TAXI FARES

The regulations include a schedule of maximum taxi fares. The initial fare is €3.50 with €1.40 per kilometre being charged for the first eight kilometres and €1 per km for over eight kilometres.

There is a flat additional charge of €4.50 per trip for Christmas and New Year's Day.

The regulations also carry maximum fixed fares for taxi services from the airport and the seaport. The fares from the airport are divided into 11 zones and range between €11 for the airport to the area between Luqa and Hal Far, to €32 for a trip from the airport to Cirkewwa.