The 17th of July was set as the last delay for having taximeters apposed in taxis operating in Tirana. The municipality of the capital wants all taxis have a taximeter and have them sealed. Consequent to this delay, the municipality has set a number of successive timelines on which compliant or non-compliant taxi drivers should present verification documents, reports Gazeta Shqiptare (17.07.2009). Taxis are also wanted to appose the new tariffs at visible spots. “Passengers feel uncomfortable at the idea of the placement of the taximeters, because they think that the drive will cost more than previously. But even with the new tariffs, the difference is so little, that prices remain almost the same” confesses a taxi driver.
Over the last years licensed taxis find themselves in harsh competition with unlicensed ones and the move may not be readily accepted. The Municipality of Tirana will print and distribute flyers making citizens aware of the distinctive signs of licensed taxis. Citizens will be discouraged to take other transportation offers. Nearly 500 taxis with a capacity of 4 + 1 passengers are licensed in Tirana as well as nearly 50 taxis with a capacity of 8 + 1 passengers.
Licensed taxis offer guarantees for security of transports, professional driving capabilities, and good technical conditions of the car, identification of cars and drivers, transparent and public prices as well as real possibilities to file complaints in case of discontent.
DISTINCTIVE SIGNS FOR LICENSED TAXIS
All licensed taxis in Tirana have yellow car plates, the arms of the municipality stamped on the car and a sign reading “Taxi”. The usual cars have white plates apposed at the front and the rear side. From now on, licensed taxis will also have a taximeter. The prices are public and should be visible from within or from without the car.
Licensed taxis with a capacity of 4 + 1 passengers are yellow. Licensed taxis with a capacity of 8 + 1 passengers are white with a red and blue stripe.
COSTS
250 Albanian Lek련ALL) is the obligatory minimum price that passengers of 4 + 1 taxis will have to pay. This will cover passengers up to 2 kilometers indifferent of time. For a distance greater than 2 kilometers, the driver will refer to the extra kilometers and to the time spent, to fix the price.
COSTS
400 Albanian Lek련ALL) is the obligatory minimum price for passengers of 8 + 1 taxis. This price will take them 2 kilometers. The time spent in the trip will not change the cost within these 2 first kilometers. If the passengers have to travel more than the 2 first kilometers, the cost will be fixed according to the additional kilometers and the time spent for the trip.
