Taxi meters – the legend and the reality
While meters have been made mandatory for three-wheeled taxis, the authorities have, as yet, failed to enforce the new regulations.
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
Story and pix by Priyantha Wickramarachchi.
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.