Prague Mayor exposes taxi overcharging
Prague Mayor Pavel Bém this week received a close up view of the notorious taxi drivers which frequent his city when he went undercover for a ride and was overcharged by 500%.
The gauntlet was thrown down by the newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes. Bém took on a disguise and pretended to be a foreigner hailing a taxi from the Old Town Square to Prague Castle. This is a common route frequently taxen by the city’s tourists.
After arriving following the 3km trip, Bém was charged 785 crowns, aproximately 500% greater than the official rate.
Taking a second trip and asking to pay in Euros the fare was 200% greater.
Taxi’s have been a sore point with visitors to Prague for some time with visitors frequently complaining of being overcharged.
Following the trips Bém said that adding further controls on taxis will be added. He advised tourists to negotiate a price in advance in the meantime.
[…] Be it as it may, you just DON’T fight with a cop. What the cab drivers did there only adds to their negative image. Prague cabs’ reputation all over the world is really bad. They even ripped off the Mayor in disguise! […]