Taxis Force Customers To Pay Escazú
Tolls
Taxi drivers are asking customers to fork
over the tolls at Escazú, even though the
Concejo de Transporte Público (CTP)
prohibits additional charges, but is
supported by the taxi association, the Foro
Nacional de Taxistas.
A number of taxi drivers spoke to the
Spanish language daily, La Nación, saying
that by paying the tolls at Escazú leaves
them at an economic disadvantage, explaining
that a trip between Multiplaza and Trejos
Montealegre, both in Escazú runs up the
meter to ¢1.400, leaving the taxi with only
¢780 colones after paying the ¢620 toll
(¢310 each way).
Caught in the middle are the customers, who
for the most part have no other option but
to heed to the taxi driver demands.
Some taxi drivers will only provide the
service if the customer agrees to use the
old road, while others are willing to
negotiate the tolls with the customer.
Javier Vargas, president of the CTP, is
adamant that the fare is conditional and
that the responsibility of paying the tolls
falls squarely on the taxi operator.
Vargas said that taxis are a "public
service" under concession and that taxi
driver who charge customers for the tolls
may face sanctions, that could include the
loss of the taxi concession.
Vargas added that there already are two
complaints by the public for additional
charges, that are currenlty under
investigation.
For their part the Foro, which groups some
70 taxi organizations, sees the additional
charge as valid.
Gilberth Ureña, speaking for the taxi
drivers, says that the current taxi fares
are based on 2005 costs and do not include
the unusually high toll charges that were
introduced several weeks ago.
Ureña said that taxi drivers should talk
with their customers and explain the
financial burden the high tolls, and the
cost high cost of gasoline, places on them.
"The the (toll) amount is disproportionate",
said Ureña.
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