The taximeters of more than 9,200 cars have already been updated since June 1, the date on which the new rate came into force, which represented, on average, an increase of 8%, the Government announced this Sunday.
The programming of the new rate, the verification and sealing of the taximeters must, as established in the agreement, be carried out before July 31.
“The update of the taximeters thus took place with the desired normality, with more than 9,200 vehicles metrologically controlled,” the Ministry of Economy and the Sea said in a statement.
Taxi fares increased by an average of 8.05% on June 1, according to the agreement signed between the General Directorate of Economic Activities, ANTRAL – National Association of Light Car Road Transport and the Portuguese Federation of Taxis (FPT) and approved by the Government.
The installed verification capacity is approximately 11,800 per month, and in Portugal there are 13,000 taxis.
In June, the metrological update rate was around 41% and, in July, 37%.
According to the ministry supervised by António Costa Silva, as long as the update is not carried out, consumers continue to pay for the service according to the old rate.
The Portuguese Institute of Quality is responsible for the management of the control system, also recognizing the entities for the delegated exercise of this control.
The agreement was signed on May 13, between the General Directorate of Economic Activities, ANTRAL and the FPT, “after an intense process of negotiation and consultation” with the Institute of Mobility and Transport and consumer associations.
On July 12, Portugal’s National Association of United Taxis said it doubted the country’s 13,000 taxis would be able to have their meters updated by the end of the month.
“After all, if only 4,850 [táxis]we doubt that the 8,150 vehicles [que faltam] be able to update them within the legal term that remains,” said the National Association of Táxis Unidos de Portugal (ANTUP) in a statement at the time.
Source: Observadora
