The Government has launched a reform of the taxi sector to eliminate controls on the number of taxis and restrictions on competition.

In a news conference on Saturday launching a discussion document on the reform, Transport Minister Austin Gatt said the reform of the taxi sector should lead to the much needed destruction of a cartel in Malta

According to the Minister it is unacceptable that Malta’s taxi fare for a standard five kilometre route was the fourth highest in Europe. According to the Minister’s calculations, while on a proportionate level there should be 700 taxis in Malta, there were only 150.

Discussions were held by the Government with the Association of White Taxis before the publication of the document and although there was no agreement on liberalisation, the two sides were on the same wavelength on many other issues, stated the Minister.

A report in The Times said that among the major problems in Malta were that taxi drivers did not consider the Maltese as their clients, they had a bad reputation with the locals, their system did not protect the client, they gave the impression they only wanted to operate from termini, there was no access to the service away from termini and because of lack of competition, the service was expensive.

It reported Dr Gatt to have said that the use of taxis and metres had to be technologically monitored. There had to be contact between the Public Transport Authority and taxi drivers, passengers should be given more information about their rights and they should be offered more security.

The reform, said the Minister, should bring about a revision of legislation and policies and liberalised access to the sector, allowing for electric cabs to operate everywhere. Taxis should also be allowed to operate between Malta and Gozo and a maximum fee should be established allowing for discounts to introduce competition in pricing, the Minister suggested.

Comments and proposals may be sent to the Ministry at 168, Strait Street, Valletta or on its website www.mitc.gov.mt up to the end of November.