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James Debono
Transforming taxi drivers in to respectable brand managers for Malta’s tourist product is no easy task, but the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is determined to enforce a code of ethics which envisages fines for 50 different infringements ranging from wearing unbuttoned shirts to involvement in crime.
On Friday the ADT withdrew the tags of three taxi drivers arrested on Wednesday night, for allegedly possessing 1,500 ecstasy pills and bags of cocaine and cannabis.
This is one of the consequences of the recently introduced code of ethics for taxi drivers which stipulates that any driver or owner involved in drug trafficking or illicit activities will have their tag withdrawn.
The withdrawal of the licence is only envisioned in serious cases like drug trafficking, drink driving and involvement in criminal activities and violence and swearing against passengers and enforcement officers.
Before last Wednesday’s arrest only one taxi driver had his tag withdrawn.
But the ADT is also clamping down on less serious infringements of the code of ethics. A total of 64 citations were issued to taxi drivers in the past five months for infringing the code of ethics.
These include obliging drivers to display in a prominent place the tariffs applying to the main destinations, with the risk of legal proceedings against anyone not using the taximeter, or for not issuing a fiscal receipt upon being paid by the client.
The code of ethics states in clear terms that a taxi driver cannot refuse offering his service to anyone – so any driver refusing to give a ride to a foreigner is liable to a fine of Lm25.
Drivers with unbuttoned shirts or those whose appearance is judged “shabby” by the enforcement officer are liable for a Lm5 fine – they will have to wear a full uniform comprising of a light blue shirt, a dark blue jersey and dark trousers in winter. In summer they have to wear a light blue shirt and a trouser. Anyone caught wearing shorts in summer could be liable for a Lm10 fine.
Cabbies are also forbidden from engaging in lengthy conversations with clients or from playing music on the radio if this disturbs the client. Even photos of pin-up girls can get taxi drivers in trouble as they are not even allowed to decorate their taxis with pictures or adverts which unauthorised by the ADT.
Drivers smoking while driving will be fined Lm5. Those speaking on their mobile phone risk a Lm20 penalty. Dirty cabs will incur a Lm5 fine. Exhaust emissions will mean a Lm25 fine.
They have also to ensure that “the wind screen has to permit the entry of 75 per cent of the light.”
Of the 66 citations issued so far by the ADT, in 22 cases the taxi drivers did not contest the fines. Nine cases were heard before the ADT tribunal, of which 7 were found guilty as charged and two were acquitted. Presently there are 33 cases pending before the tribunal.
Since 1 April 2006, the infringements reported included violations of the dress code, bad behaviour, lack of respect towards the ADT and violations related to tariffs and the use of the taximeter.
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