Video Taxi Meter A
Possible Solution To
Growing Crime Against
Taxi Drivers
A new taximeter or "maría"
as it is referred to in
Costa Rica that will
help against the growing
crime against drivers.
The new marías will have
a video camera
incorporated that will
record the crime and
help identify the
criminals.
Although the new marías
are not yet in general
use, the Coopemargarita
de Barva de Heredia is
making test runs of the
new equipment.
Victor Arguedas, a
member of the
co-operative, added that
the new marías also can
have a satellite
tracking system
included, as well as
speakers and a printer
to give customers
receipts.
While many taxi drivers
are considering
installing a protective
glass shield as a
protection, the director
of the Organismo de
Investigación Judicial (OIJ),
recommends that drivers
not have large amounts
of cash on hand.
Rojas is suggesting
accepting payment by
credit or debit cards or
coupons as an
alternative to cash, but
did not elaborate on the
details.
For her part, Viviana
Martín, viceminister of
Transportes, said that
the responsibility of
security falls on the
indiviual drivers or
co-operative.
Martín explained that
the problems with credit
cards is that taxi fares
would increase if taxis
are required to install
equipment to process the
cards.
The cost of the new
video marías is about
¢188.000 colones
(us$365). Accessories
like the satellite
tracking will add to
that price.
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