Taxi fares in Costa Rica are set to drop an average of 4 percent after the Public Services Regulatory Authority (ARESEP) approved fare reductions Monday. The fare reduction will also apply to taxis transporting travelers to and from Juan SantamarÃa International Airport.
Taxis in urban areas will now cost ₡630 ($1.17) for the first kilometer and ₡610 ($1.13) for each additional kilometer. The fare for waiting for a passenger will be ₡3,495 ($6.50).
Airport taxis will cost ₡925 ($1.72) for the first kilometer and ₡780 ($1.45) for additional kilometers.
Taxis in rural areas will cost ₡770 ($1.43) per kilometer.
The new fares are the result of a price review ARESEP performs every six months which takes into account fuel costs, changes in wages and variations in the exchange rate.
The rates will take effect the day after publication in the official newspaper La Gaceta.
Increased oversight of taxis
ARESEP’s Department of Transportation also said this week that it’s increasing scrutiny of taxi drivers and companies to make sure they’re properly licensed and paying taxes and social security.
Agency officials asked the Public Transport Council to create a database with all licensed taxi companies in order to facilitate verification of compliance with legal and tax obligations.
ARESEP also reminded taxi users that drivers are required to use taxi meters for all trips, and that fees are the same regardless of the time of day, road conditions, passenger’s nationality or destination. The only additional cost that taxi drivers can charge customers is that of tollbooth stations, if needed.
Customers can report any irregularity in taxi services through ARESEP’s free number: 800-027-3737. The phone service takes complaints on weekdays from 6 a.m.to 6 p.m. and bilingual staff are available, ARESEP’s spokeswoman Arlene Raventós AlpÃzar confirmed.
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