News
Taxi meters – the legend and the reality
View(s):While meters have been made mandatory for three-wheeled taxis, the authorities have, as yet, failed to enforce the new regulations.
Story and pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi.
As a result, a majority of these taxis continue to operate without a meter, with unscrupulous driver’s ripping-off passengers by arbitrarily deciding on fares.
Many of the three-wheeled taxis which do have meters, often pose a problem for passengers as the minimum fare is not uniform. Some meters indicate Rs.50/- as the minimum fare, while others continue to indicate the old fare of Rs.60/-.
The figure Rs.60/- continues to be displayed despite three-wheeled taxi unions deciding to reduce the fare for the first km by Rs.10/-.
Drivers claim it is far too much trouble for them to get the meters re-adjusted. Some drivers insist they charge passengers Rs.10/- less than the fare quoted on the meter. This however is debatable.
The lack of meters, and meters not displaying uniform fares, means arguments often break out between drivers and passengers over the fare.
It is time the authorities enforce the law without allowing passengers to be ‘taken for a ride’ in this manner.
Many 3-wheeled taxis do not observe the law regarding the mandatory requirement for meters
While a number of 3-wheeled taxis do have meters, they do not follow a uniform fare,with some indicating Rs 50/- per km, while others indicate Rs. 60/- per km
While meters are mandatory for 3-wheeled taxis, many do not follow this rule
Travelling in meter-less vehicles often leads to arguements between passengers and taxi drivers
Would-be passengers often look for taxi's with meters