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Taxi Drivers in Peru to Begin Using New Nissans, Fiats & Volkswagens

(LIP-ir) -- Peru's President Alan Garcia has made it clear that one of his administration's main goals is to shift the country's dependency from oil to natural gas.

In an effort to achieve this goal, the government is to renew its public transportation system with natural gas buses and has begun the "Mi Taxi" program.

President Garcia presented the 500th Chevy Corsa to its new proud owner last month. With just under $3,000, taxi drivers in Lima are qualifying for loans and have been purchasing the vehicles that run on natural gas.

The Chevy Corsa, which comes with a factory warranty and equipped to run on natural gas, is the only model offered by the Mi Taxi program.

The 250 thousand taxi drivers in Lima and Callao will now be able to choose from a greater variety of vehicles with the next shipment of Nissans, Fiats and Volkswagens, said Jorge Juárez, the general manager of the Peruvian Chamber of Natural Gas for Vehicles.

The aim of the three car companies is to import vehicles specifically for taxi drivers as soon as possible and replace the Chevy Corsa as the only new natural gas car driven by Peru's cabbies.

Since taxi drivers can pay 50 soles a day to rent their vehicles, they should not have a problem purchasing a new vehicle with a $3,000 down payment - like they have done with Mi Taxi; therefore, they have attracted the attention of car companies, affirmed Juárez.

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# David says :
11 January, 2008 [ 09:42 ]

I'm not so sure I agree with the taxi drivers being able to afford the $3000 down. Many times I hop into a taxi and the driver needs me to pay for the fuel prior to us or during the trip. If they don't have enough for fuel how do they suppose they have a down payment of 3K? 

# Reese says :
11 January, 2008 [ 13:44 ]

Took the words from my mouth David. I soon as I hop in, it is off to the service station. Not all the time, but most.

# lol says :
11 January, 2008 [ 14:00 ]

u shouldnt pay forr the gas theyr riping u off lolz

# e.f.l.d.c says :
11 January, 2008 [ 18:52 ]

Mate im Peruvian myself, believe me...you are getting conned every time.
   Sometimes they really try to rip tourists off big time. The majority have morals though. 
   

# David says :
11 January, 2008 [ 19:25 ]

How do you figure I'm getting ripped off?

If we agree on a price of 8 soles and we hit the service station and add 5 soles to the tank and I give him another 3 when we arrive at our destination I still only paid 8.

I am aware of the normal charge to and from my destination and Nothing more comes out of my pocket.

So again, how am I getting ripped off?

# e.f.l.d.c says :
11 January, 2008 [ 21:48 ]

Well, you didnt say that at first- what you have just said is very very different from your original one.
In that case, no, you are not getting ripped off.

# David says :
12 January, 2008 [ 15:31 ]

I don't think I really said anything to make one think anything other then the taxi driver stopped to get gas prior to finishing our trip.

You may have assumed to much, but that's ok I've been guilty of the same from time to time.