Minister of Justice, Integration, Energy and Public Transport, Arthur Dowers, officially announced the launch of a website to help regulate and control taxi prices in Aruba.
The new system is based on an official fare list that can be checked on the website taxi.aw. The platform allows users to enter their departure point and destination in order to calculate the distance and the official fare that a taxi driver is required to charge.
Although an official fare list already existed, the previous version was very outdated and created confusion among both drivers and customers. The lack of updates and easy access to the official fares contributed to situations where some taxi drivers charged arbitrary or excessive prices, particularly in tourist areas.
The government considers the modernization of the system necessary in order to adapt to Aruba’s current reality and provide greater protection for consumers. The new fare list was revised after consultations and discussions with different representatives from the taxi and public transportation sector.
The fare is calculated based on the distance and number of kilometers between different locations on the island. The digital system allows customers to use the same calculation to determine the official fare that the taxi driver must charge during a trip.
The website also incorporates different surcharges that officially form part of Aruba’s taxi system. For example, trips that begin at Queen Beatrix International Airport include an additional USD 10 fee added before the distance fare is calculated. Trips departing from the cruise port also include a similar surcharge.
With the taxi.aw website, passengers will be able to verify how much a trip should cost and compare this with the amount the driver is charging.
The experience of tourists and Aruba’s reputation as a tourist destination were considered important factors in the decision to modernize the system. With taxi.aw, the government wants to eliminate much of the uncertainty that previously existed. The platform allows both tourists and residents to have direct access to official fares without having to rely solely on verbal information.
The new fare list will officially take effect this coming Friday.
The introduction of taxi.aw marks an important step in the government’s efforts to modernize and better regulate Aruba’s public transportation sector. With greater transparency, direct access to official fares, and stricter enforcement of regulations, the government hopes that both residents and tourists will benefit from a more reliable and professional taxi system. The government emphasized that the ultimate goal is to protect consumers, strengthen Aruba’s reputation as a tourist destination, and create a fairer environment for drivers who operate according to the law.
