Taxi Driver Appeals 'Uniform' Regulation
On the first day that taxi drivers were required to dressed in uniform - white shirt and blue pants - the future is now uncertain, as taxi driver Ronald Gerardo Vega, appealed to the Constitutional Court (Sala IV) in an action known as a "recurso amparo", even though the majority of drivers are accepting the regulation.

Vega argues that the regulation should be voluntary and not obligatory and think it is absurd that drivers need to be in uniform even on they day off, driving their taxis for personal use.

"Workers should have a day off to spend wit their families and because my only vehicle is a taxi, I have to dress in uniform while with my family or face sanctions", said Vega.

Many taxi owners use their taxi for personal use on their day off and as Vega expressed, believe they should have to be in uniform on those occasions.

A large part of taxi drivers are independents. Drivers who work for the co-operatives have to abide by company policy, however, are complaining that the shirts sold by the co-operatives (shirts with logos) are too expensive and of poor quality.

In Puntarenas centre and Esparza and Miramar, more than 200 taxi drivers formed a caravan to demonstrate their discontent with the regulation.

As a means to offer better service and confidence to consumers, the government enacted a regulation that came into effect yesterday (Monday), forcing all taxi drivers to wear a uniform similar to airport taxi drivers who have for years worn a uniform - in their case, a white shirt and brown pants - or face fines and/or losing their taxi concession.