www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Found in Costa Rica Times:

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


How can they cheat us now. Can anyone tell if the fare is higher. Interesting
Thnaks
BoB

They will find a way. If there's heavy traffic, it could be higher. The meters in CR aren't like the US where the meter charges 40¢ every couple minutes in heavy traffic. There, it just keeps going 10 colones at a time. It's slower than when you are moving but it's still going.

Btw, Irish Drifter already posted this story: https://costaricaticas.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=25393

Ornage
I didn't see his.
Thanks
BoB