White taxi upgrade runs out of power

The installation of new meters and monitoring equipment in white taxis has been suspended because the machinery was prematurely flattening car batteries. A spokesman for Alberta Group, which supplies and installs the equipment, confirmed it was in discussions with Transport Malta and the White Taxi Association on how to resolve the problem. All 300 white taxis must have the new meters, tracking devices and CCTV cameras installed as part of reforms that came into force in November 2010. The reform was intended to stamp out abuse in the industry. Alberta Group said 190 white taxis had been fitted with the equipment before the process was suspended around two weeks ago. The problem had affected “very few” taxis, the spokesman said. It was caused when drivers switched on the first stage of ignition while stationary to listen to radios as they waited for clients. The ignition triggers the new meters and monitoring equipment and drivers of certain types of vehicles complained this flattened their batteries. “We understand that drivers need to listen to their radios if they are waiting around, so we agreed to stop the installations until we agree on the way forward.” Software ...