New taxi licences issued after 50 years
The reform of the taxi service has taken a step forward, with the granting of the first 40 new licences in almost 50 years and the introduction of new standards within the taxis themselves.
Transport Minister Austin Gatt this morning 'unveiled' the first new taxis equipped with a tracking device, a CCTV camera, emergency alarm buttons and new tamper proof taxi meters.
The liberalisation of the tax service was announced by the minister last year when he said that the 200 taxis in Malta (the same number as in the 1960s) would increase to 250 by next year. The number of taxis in Gozo remains fixed at 50 because it is sufficient for the island's needs.
The new taxi licences were issued after a call for tenders, with the minimum bid being of €20,000.
The fare structure was established by Transport Malta last November.
The minister explained that the GPS tracking device is being installed in all taxis to enable Transport Malta and the police to track taxis, if necessary, and also to correlate with the taxi meter and emergency buttons which can be activated by passengers and drivers. CCTV will also be installed in all taxis as a security measure and the recording will be accessible only to the police, thus ensuring data protection.
Drivers are also being asked to follow a course, with subjects ranging from customer care and inter-personal skills to traffic regulations and safe driving.
Dr Gatt said it was hoped that the liberalisation process and the higher standards would attract more custom.
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Salvinu Buttigieg
Jul 20th 2011, 19:19
Why take a taxi in a small place like Malta, whats wrong with the new arriva buses, if one rides from Valletta to sliema for 30 € its the same price as from Luqa to the UK with RyanAir, on an arriva bus its a fraction of that, as i someone mentioned earller on, a fool and his money! besides arrive buses are there waiting at MIA to anywhere around the island. Gee some got more money then sence.
Anthony Busuttil
Jul 20th 2011, 14:20
This is a big push to the yellox taxis, hbieb tal hbieb......kollox bizzilla
R Saliba
Jul 20th 2011, 16:35
Actually it is more competition for the yellow taxis. Think before you speak/write
Anthony Busuttil
Jul 20th 2011, 14:19
So passengers are going to be recorded by CCTV?
this is a police state.
Its not the police business to know who was in the taxi. Taxi is a private business the policice they dont need to track a taxi where it is. Police are to investigate if there was wrong doing
Mr M Cachia
Jul 20th 2011, 15:48
A taxi is a public place and it is acceptable for recording to happen in a public place for the safety of the people concerned. Travel a little and you'll notice that thereis CCTV on trains, busses and taxis.
R Saliba
Jul 20th 2011, 16:33
Mr Busuttil, what is wrong with the clients of taxis feeling safe? Do you honestly think that the police will track taxis and watch boring CCTV if it does not need to do so due to some investigation? By your logic we should remove all CCTV from everywhere, shops, banks etc etc. as these are invasion of privacy as well.
Ms Monica Muscat
Jul 20th 2011, 18:30
Police state indeed! Where have you been living these last 20/30 years? Have you ever heard of taxi drivers being murdered, woman passengers being assaulted, raped and killed, taxi drivers being made to drive somewhere against their will or taxis being commandiered for ill gains? If I had to chose... welcome to a "police state"....if it makes me feel safer! After all, I am a law-abiding citizen and have no fear of being observed going by taxi to some illicit appointment! In my opinion, only good can come out this initiative. Just keep the guys at the wheel in check Dr. Gatt, and everything will run smoothly.
P Oliveira
Jul 20th 2011, 13:59
More taxis?? What for? They only accept rides if its convenient for - them! This is the most useless transportation service in Malta.
Tonio Micallef
Jul 20th 2011, 13:54
Tajjeb! Issa nibdew nuzaw it-taxis ghax b'tal-Arriva ma tasal imkien jew qatt! Prosit Ministru Gatt tajtna s-soluzzjoni!
Mr George Attard
Jul 20th 2011, 13:51
why are tourists still paying 30 Euros from St. Julian's to Valletta in a white taxi?
Mr mark johnson
Jul 20th 2011, 15:57
A fool and his money.
James Dewar
Jul 20th 2011, 18:38
Good question!! We were held to ransom on 02/07. After the glittering (now severely tarnished) launch of Arriva at Valetta there were no buses to return to Qawra! First enquiry at the taxi rank produced a figure of 30 euro and before we could ask other drivers the first driver scuttled down the line ahead of us ensuring that they all quoted the same. Ouch! The following day we heard that a number of the old drivers were ferrying people throughout the island in some cases for free and we certainly did see a few loaded old buses whilst en route...... to late though!! I knew I should have covered my white Scottish legs and removed the camera from around my neck, they must have seen us coming from some distance away!!
Ref Ormity
Jul 20th 2011, 13:41
Finally the police can start making the interrogation with video recording, all they need is to sit in the taxi.
it will also help them as the taxi should be air conditioned
Tonio Bone
Jul 20th 2011, 13:10
A good move forward which came a few decades too late. We seem to take too long to apply change and then when we do sometimes we go over the top.
From what I read above its a reform not liberalisation. Last time I checked those words have different meanings! As I said, a step forward but still some way to go.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 20th 2011, 12:46
Why should there be bidding for a taxi license?
This only results in a vast increase in fares because the owners have to recoup the sum that they pay Total Mayhem (Transport Malta)
Liberalize it by giving a license to anyone who wants to work with a taxi.
That is the only way to speak about liberalization.
What happened was a small increase in a monopoly.
A Trapani wipe your nose.
R Saliba
Jul 20th 2011, 16:27
taxi meter.
Mr Tony Camilleri
Jul 20th 2011, 22:56
What does taxi meter have to do with it?
Why shouldn't all taxis have taxi meters?
Was it necessary to auction the licenses to introduce taxi meters?
And is it necessary to limit the number of taxis to introduce taxi meters?
Mr Lawrence Fenech
Jul 20th 2011, 12:12
Min kollox qed jghamlu biex igibu l-500 euro fil-gimgha li hadu. Tidher li risqa l-elezzjoni ghax bdejna bic-cejca.
Mr Jeffrey Mallia
Jul 20th 2011, 12:12
This was a farse liberalisation which we have never seen anything like it......... A "public" auction for a Taxi licence, which the lowest bid went for some 46,000 Euro and the highest around 112,000 Euro.......And the transport minister dare to call this " liberalisation".........
Mr Lawrence Fenech
Jul 20th 2011, 12:10
Min kollox qed jghamlu biex igibu il-500 euro li hadu fil-gimgha. Tidher li risqa l-elezzjjoni bdejna b
Lela Spiteri
Jul 20th 2011, 12:04
The liberalisation of the tax service my left foot,you call this liberalisation ? what a bunch of idiots.
Mr A Spiteri
Jul 20th 2011, 11:42
and u call the granting of an extra 20 license a liberalised open market?!?!?
Mr Lawrence Fenech
Jul 20th 2011, 12:14
@ Scerri
You are so right. I trust that this is not another Arriva flop.
John Scerri
Jul 20th 2011, 11:39
When shall we see the 'price per MILE or KM' on each taxi front door upper right side like is done in some countries in Europe like Romania .
This should be installed on all taxis white as well as black .
Dont expect us and tourists to run about with the fare structure in hand before boarding a taxi.
One can be taken from valletta to Mellieha and pay for 20KM and the same trip can be made to pay 40KM
WHY ? Because they will be taken for a ride across the island since they dont know the way.
The parking meter will show the KM coveres and the Client will know what the cost is . This works and only this.
Just.... DO IT RIGHT ...no arguements .
Ray Gatt
Jul 20th 2011, 12:19
That's why the tracking device.
Martin Cassar
Jul 20th 2011, 12:48
You are right, A tourist couple because cant go up a hill had to pay 20 euro from st Anna square, sliema to near a hospital in sliema as well. I don't think with another 20 taxi's the price go down.
David Farrugia
Jul 20th 2011, 11:35
I do not think that additional of 50 taxis will be experiencing lower fares for commuters. This is not liberalisation, it is a joke. The monopoly is still on.
A Trapani
Jul 20th 2011, 12:08
what a nagging nation we are... kullhadd bravu u kulhadd igerger... why dont you go be the hero and face the taxi bullies yourself David after a full widespread liberalisation? It would be fun and a real joke watching you tackle the kings of the road. Why does'nt anyone even mention that, even though a lot of things could have been done better, Austin Gatt has to get, at least, the credit for being the only person with the guts to face and tackle the real eyesores of Malta. I am no big fan of Austin Gatt but i do give him that credit !!
Jonathan Scerri
Jul 20th 2011, 13:07
Sur Trapani, Mela m'hemmx Ministru ghal dax-xoghol? Jew jibza? (ovvjament mill-voti).
Julian Agius
Jul 20th 2011, 13:07
@ A.Trapani
Like you I am not a Fan of Austin Gatt but yes he had the guts to curb all bullies from the old Dockyard,Busses,Taxis etc.No other minister dreamt to touch the kings of the road.I was not a fan of Alfred Sant either but he too had the guts to stop the Bullies in his party.Both of you well done. Gone is the time for the above bullies now we hope some guts to see if the Law Courts are giving the right sentence.
J.Agius.