White taxi upgrade runs out of power
Scheme suspended over flat car batteries
The installation of new meters and monitoring equipment in white taxis has been suspended because the machinery was prematurely flattening car batteries.
A spokesman for Alberta Group, which supplies and installs the equipment, confirmed it was in discussions with Transport Malta and the White Taxi Association on how to resolve the problem.
All 300 white taxis must have the new meters, tracking devices and CCTV cameras installed as part of reforms that came into force in November 2010.
The reform was intended to stamp out abuse in the industry. Alberta Group said 190 white taxis had been fitted with the equipment before the process was suspended around two weeks ago. The problem had affected “very few” taxis, the spokesman said.
It was caused when drivers switched on the first stage of ignition while stationary to listen to radios as they waited for clients.
The ignition triggers the new meters and monitoring equipment and drivers of certain types of vehicles complained this flattened their batteries.
“We understand that drivers need to listen to their radios if they are waiting around, so we agreed to stop the installations until we agree on the way forward.”
Software upgrades on taxis that already have the new equipment would be installed remotely once an agreement was reached, he added.
The Times was tipped off about the problem last week by taxi owner Anthony Tanti, 50, who was responding to an article last month about drivers not using their meters, as required by law.
Mr Tanti said he knew of many taxi drivers who had experienced problems with their car batteries after having had the system fitted.
He was refusing to have the equipment installed unless the regulator and the supplier guaranteed to compensate him for lost earnings and breakdown costs if it made his battery flat.
“These meters are too big,” he insisted.
A spokesman for Transport Malta, which awarded the tender to Alberta, said: “We are aware that a number of taxi drivers have had equipment problems, which they are discussing with their supplier.
“We wish to underline that, although we determine the outputs of the equipment needed to be installed in taxis, we do not design, manufacture, procure or install such equipment.”
Transport Malta is financing the installations through a grant of €3,316 (VAT included) to the owners of white taxis that existed before November 1, 2010.
The grant also covers renting a replacement taxi while the equipment is installed.
Owners of the 50 white taxi licences granted since November 1, 2010, must pay for the equipment themselves.
Transport Malta said earlier this month that all 300 taxis were expected to be upgraded by the end of January. It said it would then be able to monitor the location, speed and meter status of white taxis from its remote monitoring facility.
The association representing white taxis declined to comment on the equipment, saying the problem was between Alberta and the Government.
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42 Comments
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Joseph Portelli
Dec 4th 2012, 00:16
well i can think of 2 options 1 you can simple install a switch to put on just the meter when it is needed or install a small solar flexible panel on the taxi s' roof to continue charging the battery while not on the move.. i work in solar panels so i have some ideas..
David Hill
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:42
Give them time, they have only had 24 months to get this equipment installed in 300 Taxi's
Charles Grixti
Dec 3rd 2012, 15:53
The reason that the batteries are suffering with these meters is that the White taxi group are more than happy to sit down and chat in groups rather then take an honest fare. They like to charge as they please and would rather sit around then ferry a customer. The reason the batteries fail is because they are not being charged since the taxis are underused. Taxis are props for the real work.
C Cassar
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:46
You're right. Especially down at Sliema Ferry where they all congregate and sit in their trunks/boots with the lid open. They look totally unprofessional and I'm sure they lose a lot of business by advertising themselves in this way. They also park the wrong way at the start of one-way streets, so why don't the wardens/police ticket them?
Marcel Mejlaq Vella
Dec 3rd 2012, 23:57
@ Grixti
It's a shame that TM and Alberta are unaware of your reason of battery failures. Also, both of you, could you please give me a contact where I can contact you maybe you might provide me with the necessary training so that I attract customers.
Kocc paroli fil-vojt ta bla sugu. Minn jaf bhal dawn zminijiet tas-sena minn fejn ha jgib l-klijenti meta qedin fil-low season. Esperti tal-paroli
Robert Zammit
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:46
Use go on Arriva ?
Mehdi Klein
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:29
what is the problem having meters in place?
Francis Grech
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:13
All the silly comments about this issue, London black cubs are all equipped with this system but they don't encounter any of these problems the top and bottom of it either the equipment is out dated or the taxi's batteries are of lower AMP.Simple.
pat muscat
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:05
An other blunder by Transport Malta?
J Martinelli
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:02
A manufacturer doesn't produce equipment which works in some vehicles but not in others or it would not stay in business long.
The vehicles which are having problems could be under-powered and when purchased the dealers should be informed that extra equipment will be installed so that a heavier battery is installed.
With the radio on and the engine off, the battery will soon drop to below 12V.
Peter Murray
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:42
You couldn't make up such incompetent nonsense
Joseph N. Attard
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:40
Two simple questions: Is this equipment working satisfactorily in taxis abroad? If yes, quit stalling and make it work also here. If not, why was it installed in local taxis in the first place? In short, is this a tried and tested system, or do we always have to invent the wheel?
George Calleja
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:33
Kollox issussidjat hawn Malta.....minn dawk li jhallsu t-taxxa!!!!
Edward Mallia
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:25
A number of sensible solutions have been proposed in comments below. But it does not say much for the electrical engineering saavy of the "bodies" involved : TM, the contractor and to a lesser extent the taxi drivers, that no one anticipated the problem. One is left with the impression that there was no great enthusiasm to have a civilised system of charging in operation.
Charles Micallef
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:05
Can we ever get anything right first time in this foresaken country?
Anthony Farrugia
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:58
It's not rocket science ! Delaying tactics not to implement reforms by usual suspects. Just liberalise licences !
Christian Falzon
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:55
Last time i saw a new taxi and 4 taxi drivers pushing To get it started. So that is the cause then well done alberta success you did!!!!! The solution is to take off the camera and the trecking,most of the taxis in europe they dont have cameras so why we are special here? Only the taxi meter as a taxi should be equipped with.
paul camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:42
hahaha this reminds me of th hitch hiker taking everthing including his bathroom. a simple solution with some brains is needed here. install a solar panel on the cars roof giving the meter its own source of electrical supply!!
paul camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 16:03
then you can claim a reduction on your road licence because your car would now be a converted hybrid and eco friendly
leli farrugia
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:39
The system is too heavy and needs a big load from the battrey , it have a big box like a computer tower that is installed under the passenger seat or in the luggage boot it needs to keep 8 days of data backup ,runs the camera system , the meter itself and all the car electrical system , and we are talking about a car battrey not a power station , thats why the battreys are shortning the cells.
Francis Raeymaekers
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:35
A classic Maltese tale! All over the world, except perhaps in deepest Africa, taxis are equipped with meters. Now of course, Malta is different... 500 or so votes may make all the difference early next year...
Pippo de Marco
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:33
This smacks of dinosaurs dragging their feet. But the cause is just, and it will not be defeated.
Adrian Muscat
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:13
They could read The times of Malta instead!
Paul Konti
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:06
Find space to install a separate battery to supply the metering equipment. The car alternator could easily charge both the starter battery AND an additional battery. Most taxi engines, if not all, are run on diesel. The battery is only used for starting the engine and for auxiliaries like the radio for example. So what's the problem? Perhaps the taxi drivers would rather not have the meters?
leli farrugia
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:51
Mr Konti please note that these cars are brand new and if somthing happens because of somthing extra you have made in the electronics the waranty will not cover you , the thing is i dont know why they have changed the meters , when the other meters where nearly the same digital electronic but with not all this fuss , you know the real price of this meter & the price the TM is paying to istall it ?
JIMMY ATANASIO
Dec 3rd 2012, 14:02
I'm afraid that you probably hit the nail on the head.drivers in malta don't want the meters because then they can't rip off the customers as much.in malta drivers rip off people left and right.they think that beacuse they come there on holidays they are loaded with money.some of the maltese people in malta are better off then some of us in canada
C Cassar
Dec 3rd 2012, 10:46
The simple solution is to install a higher capacity batteryu, quite normal practice when there are more ancilliary devices. The cost will be equivalent to a return trip to the airport from Sliema, so not exactly going to break the bank is it? These taxi drivers will think of any excuse not to comply with any regulations which will make them fully accountable.
John Dee
Dec 3rd 2012, 10:43
Maybe some bright spark could point out the advantage of wiring the radio up via a fuse to by-pass the ignition. Perhaps a government initiative is called for to encourage some action.
Not rocket science, is it?
Ian Mamo
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:44
Not really... But when dealing with a BMW its more complicated than you think... EVERYTHING is compact.
C Cassar
Dec 3rd 2012, 11:45
Most modern cars allow the radio to be switched on without having the ignition on. The radio session normally lasts an hour before automatically switching off. Therefore, the driver can listen for an hour and then press power the radion on again for another hours and so on.
eddy towers
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:55
its not rocket science, its what you call politics
Joseph Vassallo, (Bugibba)
Dec 3rd 2012, 10:42
"It was caused when drivers switched on the first stage of ignition while stationary to listen to radios as they waited for clients."
Simple solution then... feed the radio DC power from a 'live' cable harness. As young drivers, we invariably did this because keeping the ignition "ON" when stationary risks burning out ignition coils. Diesel engines don't have coils. So, who doesn't want meters?
Luciano Chetcuti
Dec 3rd 2012, 10:28
Veru sitwazzjoni tal-biki !! Ma setghux jiccekkjaw ftit qabel jinxtraw? Xejn sew anke fuq bicca meter.
Austin Grech
Dec 3rd 2012, 10:27
looks like another excuse to halt the system.
Franco J. Piccinino
Dec 3rd 2012, 10:11
Very simpile soloution. Re-wire the power supply of the radio to work directly to a fuse that is always on and does not need the ignition to be turned on. A lot of the equipment in a vehicle works like this, for example; head lights, hazard lights, horn, internal lights, cigarette lighter, etc.
Mario Camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 09:54
We should have more taxis with lesser charges, at least while with the Arriva bus service there are now more private vehicles on the roads, by reducing the charges and increasing the number of taxis we should reduce the number of private vehicles roaming the streets as well as eliminating the parking problem. Another thing is that the taxi vehicles needn't be expensive.
mark johnson
Dec 3rd 2012, 09:46
If a taxi driver doesn't like the law then why not change the law to one he does like.
R. Balzan
Dec 3rd 2012, 09:39
Imma kif din Transport Malta mhux kapaci taghmel xi haga u taghmilha sew mall-ewwel? Possibbli li tant hemm tmexxija fjakka li kull progett li tidhol ghalih ifalli?
B Ellul
Dec 3rd 2012, 12:13
And what about Alberta Group then?
Frans van Avendonk
Dec 3rd 2012, 09:35
A reason to reduce the number of taxis because there will be less waiting time!
anthony sultana
Dec 3rd 2012, 09:28
Who needs a taxi, I prefare the buses, thanks to GonziPN for such up to date transportation.
paul camilleri
Dec 3rd 2012, 09:19
ha ha ha sounds like the hiker that took his bathroom with him!!! why not instal a solar panel onthe roof of the car to power the meter?
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