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Once again ARESEP has told the airport (orange cabs) taxi operator that they must use meters and accept only colones as payment. This is not new as they have ordered that before but the system has remained unchanged. Only time will tell if it actually takes hold this time.

From today's Inside Costa Rica



Airport Taxis Must Use "María"
The airport taxis, those orange coloured taxis operated by Taxis Unidos Aeropuerto, operating out of the Juan Sanatamaría (San José) international airport, are, under no circumstances, required to use the taximeter. In addition, they can only charge their fares in "colones".

That is the decision by the Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep) - the regulating body of public prices and services - in rejecting a request by the taxi group for a rate and to work without a taximeter of "maría" as it is locally called.

The taxi group was ordered last March to install marías in all taxis and to charge fares based on the established rates. The order was published on March 13, as resolution RRG-7976-2008.

According to Carolina Mora, spokesperson for the Aresep, the airport taxis are not only required to use the maría but can only charge their fares in colones.

Mora added that the Aresep is aware that the requirements are not being met by the Taxis Unidos del Aeropuerto and is takin steps to enfore the regulations.

In addition to the use of the maría and only colones fares, the airport taxis are only to provide taxi services from the airport, taking their customers to any destination and then immediately return back to the airport.

The decision should put a stop to the common practice of charging a flat rate, depending on the destination, and in fares dollars. Visitors arriving at the San José airport only have the choice of using the airport taxis, prepaying the fare inside the terminal, or the "pirate" taxis outside the terminal. The red or regular taxis are not permitted to pick up fares at the airport.

The Aresep said it will receive complaints from customers who have been overcharged.

The current rates established by the Aresep for the airport taxis is as follows:


Sedan 1st kilometre ¢675
Additional kilometre ¢555
Wait (per hour) ¢2.005
Delays (per hour)
¢5.550

Minivan 1st kilometre ¢675
Additional kilometre ¢675
Wait (per hour) ¢2.115
Delays (per hour) ¢6.750

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

I understand the intent of the quoted article, but it is poorly worded or edited. It says under no crcumstances are taxistas required to USE the "maria" when it means under no circumstances can they NOT USE the "maria". They've written it backwards. That said, Brother ID's and the article's info is valuable if only as a negotiating tool.

_________________
"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I guess the airport currency exchange windows must not be getting as much business.

After you read Inside Costa Rica for awhile you get use to things like that. Everything that appears there is taken from Spanish language media and translated into English. Our long time friend Rico tries but he frequently jumbles the translation into the complete opposite of the original.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Sorry ID
I did not see your post earlier before I posted.
Do you think this will raise prices or staus quo?
Thnaks
BoB

For me it is hard to tell. Distances are always shorter, in my mind, then I think they are. If it is $26.00 to the SL then using the meter it would be less if the SL is less then 25.5 kilometers and more if it is further away.

My guess it is less distant but that is only a guess.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Am I understanding this correctly?We now must obtain colones at airport to pay taxi?

When, and if, this policy is implemented yes. They will have to collect in colones. I would guess they could exchange your $ for colones but at what rate? Stay tuned.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

ID, I must be missing something here. Does this mean you no longer go to the window inside and get a flat rate? How the hell can any paper print an article that makes that little sense.

Inside Costa Rica can be difficult to comprehend at times because of spelling and grammatical errors that occur in the translation from Spanish to English. Perhaps this article, on the same subject, from AM Costa Rica will give you a better explanation.

Remeber this policy has just been announced and until it is implemented it is not possible to know actually how things will change from the present with the exception of the use of meters.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

At this rate, it will be about $20 from the airport with NO traffic. It's about 18 kilometers I think. Those of you who come in around midnight should have no problems. If you are stuck in traffic at all other times during the day, it will be more than that because the meter, while slower, still moves in heavy traffic.

I seem to remember seeing a maria in the last orange cab I took. It was half covered by drivers junk. I get to san pedro for 22.00 ,I would rather pay inside with usd and be done with it. However I am sure the cr govt doesnt need my input.

It looks like the 15,000 colones I had left over from my June/July trip will come in handy for my Jan/Feb trip.

If this plan does come to fruition, I'll have to start thinking ahead and keep some colones for the next trip, to pay for the taxi from the airport to the hotel. I'd rather not go through the hassle of exchanging dollars for colones at the airport.

In case you find yourself short on necessary colones to pay the taxi fare there are ATM's at the airport that dispense either dollars or colones your choice. I believe Scotia bank has one in the baggage claim area.

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Take the bus, 60 cents to downtown SJO

With my savings and a half dozen cookies I can have two girls (pict #9941) for a TLN