Taxi Drivers To Start Using Uniforms Next Week or Be Fined
Beginning next Monday, November 7, taxi drivers will have to wear uniforms to comply with changes to the industry.

Eduardo Montero, vice-minister of Tranportes, confirmed the change that comes into effect next week.

Without exception all taxi drivers will required to wear a white shirt and blue pants. The change comes from a change in the Reglamento de Prestación de Servicios de Taxis which was published inthe official newspaper en La Gaceta at the end of last year.

Drivers who refuse to heed to the new regulation will face fines and continued resistance can mean losing their taxi plate concession.

Organized taxis and companies have already said they will comply and for the most part have their uniforms ready, said Rónal Acuña, president of Fenacotaxi, a taxi co-operative.

However, independent taxi drivers - those drivers who own their own vehicles and do not form part of any co-operative - are expected to rebel against the regulation. Several independents have made it public that they will not heed to the new standards until the government puts and end to taxi "piratas" - unlicensed taxi that offer service at a lower price than the lisenced taxis.

Another change that will come into force is a change in the taxi roof sign. All new signs will require to include the MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Pública y Transportes) logo along with the words "taxi", along the name of a co-operative if it is not an independent.

Taxi drivers will also be required to have displayed in their vehicles the name of the driver, along with a photo and the license driver number, with the taxi plate number and the owner of the taxi.

These changes are aimed at presenting a more uniformed service and allowing the consumer the ability to have all the information at hand in the event they want to make a complaint. The new regulations also aim to give consumers comfort that they are dealing with a licensed taxi and they are protected in the event of an accident.

One of the major complaints by users of taxis is the fare. There are some taxis who alter their "taximeters" or locally known as "marias" to run up a higher fare that what is prescribed by law. These taxis are sometimes referred to as "turbo" taxis and usually take advantage of foreigners who do not know the fares structure and/or will not be around to follow up on a complaint.