The target to have all white taxis fitted with new equipment by the end of January has been missed, The Times has learnt.
The installation process was suspended in November when several drivers complained the equipment made their car batteries go flat
All 300 white taxis must have new meters, tracking devices and CCTV cameras installed as part of reforms that came into force in November 2010.
The upgrade process has resumed and is intended to protect both drivers and passengers from violence and tariff abuse.
Transport Malta said last November that all taxis would have the new equipment in place by the end of January.
The installation process was suspended in mid-November when several drivers complained the new equipment was causing their car batteries to go flat.
A total of 190 taxis had been fitted with the new devices when the process stalled.
A spokesman for Alberta Group, which is supplying and installing the devices, said it had modified the software used in the new equipment over the past three weeks.
The modifications were done to meet new requirements from Transport Malta and the association representing white taxis.
Ten white taxis were recently called in by Alberta to have their software upgraded.
“These vehicles have been closely monitored by Transport Malta and Alberta, and the system is fully functioning as per new requirements,” the Alberta spokesman said.
“We didn’t receive any further complaints from the drivers of the 10 taxis, thus the system is very stable with the new upload,” he added.
A meeting took place between Alberta and Transport Malta officials two weeks ago. They agreed to continue monitoring these vehicles.
Another meeting is expected this week and, if there have been no problems with the upgraded software, installations will resume.
The transport regulator is financing the upgrade through a grant of €3,316 (VAT included) to those who owned white taxis prior to November 1, 2010.
This grant also covers the cost of 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.
The Times carried out an exercise last November that showed some drivers of white taxis were illegally refusing to use their meters and were demanding excessive upfront fares instead.
Drivers of licensed white taxis must always use their meters unless they depart from a taxi booth, where fixed fares apply.
They may charge a pre-agreed rate as long as it is less than the price charged by the meter, calculated at €1.40 per kilometre for the first eight kilometres and €1 per kilometre afterwards, plus an initial fare of €3.50.
The only taxi booths in operation are at the airport and Valletta seaport. Private hire companies are free to set their own rates.
pcooke@timesofmalta.com