M-J
02-14-2006, 08:36 PM
http://static.sky.com/images/pictures/1379651.jpg
A mayor has proved himself a master of disguise in a fresh sting against unscrupulous taxi drivers in his city.
Pavel Bem, Mayor of Prague, has launched a second undercover operation against crooked cabbies.
It follows a similar successful exercise last year when he dressed as an ''Italian tourist'' in a fake moustache and sunglasses.
In disguise, he would hire a taxi to see if he was charged the correct fare.
Two of the drivers are still paying off their fines for overcharging.
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In a repeat operation, the mayor of the Czech capital stopped shaving for three days to grow a goatee, and donned a cap and dark glasses in what was his version of an ''English rock star'' before going out on the road.
The first taxi Mr Bem took on the traditional tourist route from City Hall to the Savoy Hotel near Prague Castle charged ''only'' twice more than the standard fare, said the daily newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes. A second driver charged the correct fare.
One driver on the same route last year charged seven times the fare.
Some Prague cabbies have long had a reputation for ripping off tourists but Mr Bem said the situation had improved over the last year.
Nine per cent of drivers checked by the authorities overcharged in 2005.
A mayor has proved himself a master of disguise in a fresh sting against unscrupulous taxi drivers in his city.
Pavel Bem, Mayor of Prague, has launched a second undercover operation against crooked cabbies.
It follows a similar successful exercise last year when he dressed as an ''Italian tourist'' in a fake moustache and sunglasses.
In disguise, he would hire a taxi to see if he was charged the correct fare.
Two of the drivers are still paying off their fines for overcharging.
Advertisement
In a repeat operation, the mayor of the Czech capital stopped shaving for three days to grow a goatee, and donned a cap and dark glasses in what was his version of an ''English rock star'' before going out on the road.
The first taxi Mr Bem took on the traditional tourist route from City Hall to the Savoy Hotel near Prague Castle charged ''only'' twice more than the standard fare, said the daily newspaper Mlada Fronta Dnes. A second driver charged the correct fare.
One driver on the same route last year charged seven times the fare.
Some Prague cabbies have long had a reputation for ripping off tourists but Mr Bem said the situation had improved over the last year.
Nine per cent of drivers checked by the authorities overcharged in 2005.