Tallinn’s taxi drivers come under new scrutiny

Jul 17, 2006
TBT staff

TALLINN - Taxis in Tallinn will be forced to display fares and information in both English and Estonian after new regulations came into effect last week.
The dual language requirements are part of an overhaul of the city’s taxi licensing system designed to crack down on profiteering cab drivers.
Tallinn’s taxi service has suffered from a poor reputation amongst both tourists and locals.
Under the new rules, all cabs must have a certified taximeter, together with a compatible printer. If the taximeter or printer is out of order the passenger will be within their rights to refuse to pay the fare.
"After the amended rules step into force we plan to carry out inspections more actively to make sure that cab drivers observe the rules," said Andres Harjo, head of the municipal transport office.
Sanctions to be imposed on offenders provide for fines of up to 12,000 kroons (EUR 770).
The Tallinn city government has also proposed that the Ministry of Economy and Communications amend the Public Transport Act to tighten taxi regulations on a national level to weed out dishonest drivers.

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