Riteve Confirms "Turbo Taxis"!
What is a Turbo Taxi? A taxi that has it's taximeter or - "maria" as they are called in Costa Rica. - running at a faster rate than normal. Most Costa Ricans and foreigners alike have run into these taxis that, for some reason cost more for the same trip taken daily.

Riteve SyC, the Spanish firm contracted by the Ministerio de Obras Publica y Transporte (MOPT) to carry out the vehicular inspections reports that in 2004 more than 3.000 taxis did not pass the inspection due to faulty or malfunctioning "marias".

Riteve says that one of the key points of inspections of taxis is the maria and that 19.75% of the 3.000 taxis not passing the inspection had serious errors in the manner the marias calculated a fare.

A maria that is working correctly should calculated each kilometre after the first at ¢10 colones, however that was not the case, in those taxis not passing the inspections. They overcharged a customer though no figures were released by the inspection firm.

Riteve also points out that not all taxis not passing the inspection were rejected solely on the taximeter problem. 23.75% had problems with axles and suspension, while 22.80% having problems with the brakes.

Taxis, unlike other vehicles, are required to be inspected twice per year.

To bring a solution to the taximeter problem, the MOPT and the Ministerio de Economía Industria y Comercio (MEIC) are working on new regulations that controls the operation of the maria as well as shops that install and calibrate them.

In addition, the Consejo de Transporte Público (CTP), is working on a "talking" maria following an appeal to the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) to protect the blind that cannot see the meter read out.

Immigration Services Only by Appointment
The long lines at the Dirección General de Migración y Extranjería - immigration department - has prompted some changes. Beginning yesterday, Costa Ricans need to make an appoint to obtain a passport.

The change is to eliminate the long lines that have been forming outside the immigration offices that have caused many to complain and others selling their place in line for up to ¢10.000 colones (us$21.75). Enterprising individuals arrive early at the immigration offices, as early as 5am, to take their place in line and then selling to late comers when the immigration offices open at 8am.

To obtain a passport, Costa Ricans need to call 299 8172, 299 8169 or 800 727 2767 or can send an email at citapasaporte@migracion.go.cr to make an appointment.

Foreigners who need to renew their residency need to make a personal visit at the immigration office between 8am and 12 noon to get an appointment.

Many foreigners are complaining the fact that they cannot make the appointment by telephone or email and having to have waited all morning and then not making in time for then 12 noon deadline, having to return the next day.

The major cause of the long lines is an increased demand by Costa Ricans for a passport and the fact that immigration services is not regionalized and Costa Ricans need to travel to San José for a personal visit.

The situation should be eased starting this Monday when the immigration service will start taking appointments for passports at regional centres, not requiring those living in rural areas to make the trip to San José.

Come Fly With Us! Let the power of advertising work for you.  Click here!

Growth and Inequality Latin America looks forward to strong economic growth this year, but it must apply strong reforms if it is to keep growing in the long term and to fight the high inequality existing among its population. The region is characterized by the concentration of wealth among a few, therefore boosting poverty. That is the major conclusion of several surveys by the Economic Commission for Latin America, which show that production increased in the region 5.5 percent as an average, the largest expansion in 24 years. However, 44.2 percent of the 225 million Latin Americans live in poverty, while wealth concentrates in 10 percent of the households with the highest income. Central America lags behind, since it grew only 3.6 percent as an average and the figure is expected to fall even further, to 3.4 percent, this year. Pro-Life Costa Rica Under Fire from Abortion Advocates to Reverse Its IVF Ban In March 2000, Costa Rica became the only country in North or South America to prohibit in vitro fertilization. The Costa Rican constitution protects human life from conception to natural death. IVF is a procedure that necessitates the killing of many of the embryos created for the process. Since the court decision that banned IVF, the Costa Rican government has been under constant fire for its pro-life policies. Now a group of eleven complainants and their doctor, Delia Ribas, will take the government to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to force the government to overturn the law. On December 10th, the New York based abortion advocacy organization, the Center for Reproductive Rights, added its legal and financial support to the case. The Center's website says that the case could affect laws regarding IVF all over North and South America. Whatever the outcome, the case will reveal the threats posed by numerous international treaties that promote abortion and anti-family policies. The challenge will be taken out of the country in an attempt to overturn existing laws to conform to the anti-life agenda of the Cairo and Beijing UN conventions. Costa Rica's pro-life efforts have not been confined to its own country. The Costa Rican delegation attempted to introduce a complete ban on human cloning at the United Nations this past fall. Most of Costa Rica's population is Catholic. International pro-abortion organizations have recognized that countries with a strong Catholic culture present the greatest threat to their population control goals.

Feria Prices Changes
Those shopping at the weekly open markets or "ferias" as their called locally, will see a sharp increase in prices.

Tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, string beans, pineapple, cabbage and carrots are among those items that will have a price increase, while ayote, chayote, palmito and mora will stay the same.

Broccoli, leaf lettuce, lemons and papaya will cost less than the past week.