There was a headline on the front page of the Malta Times a couple of weeks ago which read: “Cab drivers refusing to use meters for clients”. A slow news day clearly, but it raises an interesting point nonetheless.The cab drivers being referred to are those who drive around the place in white taxis, the only ones you can stop on the street, rather than booking in advance. And despite regulations to the contrary, none of the six drivers who gave this intrepid journalist a ride bothered to switch on their meter. A Transport Malta spokesperson came up with a novel explanation about the benefits of not using a meter on some occasions, suggesting that to charge a flat up-front fee “provides the client with clear tariffs and avoids the risk of the driver exploiting the lack of familiarity of the passenger with the shortest or fastest route to destination”. Or in other words, a running meter is too sore a temptation for these fine fellows to resist. A cynic might suggest that being able to come up with whatever number they choose at the end of the journey is not the ideal solution to this quandry. The passenger may have a lack of familiarity with the normal price of a journey, or haven’t you considered that Mr Spokesperson?
So here is a piece of advice for you: Never take a white taxi anywhere. The real reason they don’t use meters is so they can drive the quickest way to any destination and charge tourists more money for doing so. For example, whenever I have to go out to the airport and am conspicuously hauling luggage around, I will invariably be offered a ride by a passing white cab. Now this is from St Julian’s to the airport – official price on the White Taxi website: €19.00. Actual price quoted by taxi drivers? In my experience it’s been in the €30 to €40 range. Now I am sure there are lots of these guys quoting correct prices, and using their meters.
I just haven’t met any of them yet.
Suggestion: pre-book a private hire taxi whenever you want to go somewhere the buses don’t.
Times Article: Cab drivers refusing to use meters for clients
(photo from Times of Malta)
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Absolutely agree with this! NEVER EVER use white taxis! They’re a complete rip off on one hand and on the other a lot of them are involved in other dodgy goings on. For example I’ve been out with male friends and when we get in the taxi to go home the driver is all like ‘you want girls? I’ll bring you girls, brown hair, blonde, whatever you like, right to your door’- just sickening.
Also with our English accents we always get incredible quotes. One guy wanted FIFTY EUROS from St Julians to Gzira. It was a weekend night and lateish (maybe 1am?) which was his excuse but seriously, Wembleys would have charged us 7 EURO MAXIMUM. Such a joke, I laughed in his face and walked off!
Nowadays in St.Julians and Paceville.. Taxi booth aare set so that you have a fixed price and no taxi dtriver can rob you visit our website for the exact price list..http://www.maltataxi.net/
This is true, and it’s the same at the airport, so full marks for addressing the issue. I am still bruised by being asked for €20 to go from Sliema ferries to the Dubliner pub, but am willing to concede that things are changing.
Thanks for the white taxi booth in paceville fair fixed price for everyone i think the white are moving to the fair line .i use it and i pay a fair price .tks
When there is a booth or ticket office like at the airport, then certainly the price is fair. But I have to say that this is not always the case. I started walking from Mosta to Bugibba at festa time this summer, stopped a white taxi at Burmurrad and he quoted €20 fare to go the rest of the way. Danya was also done for €30 Bugibba to Lija at time when buses temporarily weren’t running due to road problems (quote: ‘what else are you going to do? there are no buses!’).
So I am not 100% convinced about these taxis just yet.