ethelmertz

Has anyone had a recent taxi experience in Rome where the meter advances suddenly from, say 2,5 euro to 5 euro? --or just suddenly jumps up, as though the driver may have tinkered with the meter? We had that occur to us last week in Rome, as did another family we were traveling with. Have I missed any prior posting on this?

Girlspytravel

There have been postings on this. I think it was Sea Urchin who reported that there is a special button that Rome taxi drivers press that makes the meter or the odometer spring forward-you do have to watch those Rome taxi drivers like a hawk. Of course my MO is to berate them in Italian before we start, to let them know I'll watch the meter and report them if there's a rip-off. You CAN report Rome taxi drivers, you know, to Rome city hall. The city officials take this issue quite seriously; there's been a recent campaign to crack down on the taxi rip-offs.

Christina

I have no idea about this in Rome, but that in itself doesn't indicate anything is wrong, as frequently there are set rates in certain cities that must be added on to the basic fare and the meter will jump when the driver adds it on. Like at the end of a trip, they may add on a couple euro for baggage to the distance/time fare, or they may add on a set amount for pickup at a train station or even to be put into action.

SeaUrchin

Ha, yes it was me! My local friend warned me about the Roman Taxi Driver using the button. I remember him telling me to say I want to go to so and so and don't press any buttons (or the like, I think he used other wording). It is on one of my trip reports. They have different fare rates and can use any of them if you are not watching, but who knows what to watch for (their fingers?).

Girlspytravel

It's not funny, but that button aspect did make me laugh-so Roman! Ha! Ha!