Taxi drivers object to proposed regulations
Say new rules show lack of trust
The proposed taxi service reforms demonstrated the government's distrust in operators and were all passenger-oriented, taxi drivers said.
The measure that seems to take the biscuit is the proposed installation of a small, visible, surveillance camera allowing a view of the back seat of a taxi. "It's not the first time that couples are intimate on the backseat and the camera will remove all form of privacy," one driver said.
The images will be transmitted to a control room designated by the Transport Authority (ADT) and shall only be accessible to the police in the event of a crime.
The draft regulations propose that taxis will have to be fitted with a meter and special seat sensors that detect the presence of a passenger and prevent drivers from carrying passengers without activating the meter.
The taxi drivers who spoke to The Times deem the passenger sensor to be impractical. "So would the meter start running if, for example, I give my wife a lift or sit in another taxi's car while waiting for customers," one driver wondered.
They criticised the suggestion to introduce an emergency button within easy reach of passengers saying this could be abused by drunk people, for example.
All such measures favoured passenger and none were meant to benefit the drivers, they complained.
The drivers disagree with the removal of the fixed fare system, which would be replaced with a maximum imposed rate. The maximum initial fare is set at €3.50, with €1.40 per kilometre being charged for the first eight kilometres and €1 per kilometre for the rest of the trip.
Such tariffs were too low, one driver said. He pointed out that taxi drivers were very flexible when it came to meeting the needs of customers. In fact, at times they did not use the meter because they would have agreed upon a set price. This can no longer take place.
"We didn't agree on these things with the government. These proposals are totally different to what was discussed," they said.
Alfred Pace, from White Taxis Amalgamated, would not give an official reaction on the draft regulations, saying they had forwarded their feedback to the Transport Ministry and were waiting for a reply.
Breach of regulations and associated fine
Surveillance camera not working: €1,000
Two-way communication system not functioning: €100
Not wearing clean and appropriate clothing: €100
Unsafe driving: €50
Not keeping taxi clean: €100
Not keeping taxi in a good state of repair: €150
Loaded firearms in the taxi: €150
Flammable liquid in the taxi: €50
Smoking: €100