Taxi application

Taxi drivers in Czech capital Prague have a poor reputation for over-charging unwary tourists. However a new phone application aims to offer a solution to this problem, by using GPS technology to calculate the proper charge. While the city authorities have been struggling for some years to eradicate the problem, unscrupulous taxi drivers have continued to take passengers by longer routes than necessary and are also known to fix meters so that they overcharge. The city's mayor was himself overcharged some ye
February 20, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Taxi drivers in Czech capital Prague have a poor reputation for over-charging unwary tourists. However a new phone application aims to offer a solution to this problem, by using GPS technology to calculate the proper charge. While the city authorities have been struggling for some years to eradicate the problem, unscrupulous taxi drivers have continued to take passengers by longer routes than necessary and are also known to fix meters so that they overcharge. The city's mayor was himself overcharged some years ago by a taxi driver while investigating the problem. In one instance a taxi driver even wired up seating so as to give passengers questioning his high prices an electric shock; a case of overcharging in a different sense.

Related Content

  • Solutions to road user charging
    February 28, 2012
    In this second of a two-part article, Jack Opiola, demonstrates that the imposition of a government provided GPS mandate to levy mileage tax could be eliminated by offering motorists transparent choices regarding their manner of compliance. The key to a mileage tax system without a GPS mandate is through offering motorists choices. Most motorists are consumers who are comfortable with selecting products and services from among options available in the marketplace. A mileage tax can be built upon this realit
    Read More
  • Let’s go party
    October 3, 2018
    Some friends in the US decided to turn a toy Barbie Mustang car into something rather more entertaining. The men fitted a Honda motorcycle engine and new driveline components, including go-kart tyres. This allowed a top speed of 115km/h, which it could reach in just six seconds, making it rather lively and spirited and also difficult to control. The vehicle is definitely not likely to be made road legal any time soon and nor is a model with a similar performance ever likely to be available from the original
    Read More
  • New tests, new technology, new users: why materials testing is a growing market
    February 7, 2017
    A look back at some of the developments this year, and a look ahead to what may come next reveals the increasing use of materials testing. New technology and new ways to process and analyse data will drive change even further - Kristina Smith reports For materials testing equipment manufacturers, constant change is business as usual. New tests emerge, new standards are written and new practices spread around regions and the world. There are also new materials to deal with: bitumen modified with polymers
    Read More
  • Italy’s horrific bridge collapse is a sign of a wider problem
    January 7, 2019
    The shocking collapse of a major highway bridge in the Italian city of Genoa has highlighted a major problem with regard to poor infrastructure condition in the country. Causing multiple fatalities, the cable-stayed Morandi Bridge suffered a spectacular failure of a central support. Homes have had to be evacuated and it seems likely that the bridge, opened in 1967, will now have to be demolished. However, warnings had been given. The unusual bridge design, with its thin deck and reinforced concrete stays
    Read More

Highlighted Content