EMOV Says It's Getting 7 Tampered Taxi Meter Reports a Week — How to Protect Yourself

The Problem

EMOV (Cuenca's transit and mobility authority) says it's receiving an average of 7 complaints per week about taxi meters that appear to have been tampered with to overcharge passengers.

If you've ever taken a taxi in Cuenca and thought "that seemed high" — you might not have been imagining things.

What's Being Done

• Two repair workshops were flagged back in January for allegedly altering meters to run faster than they should
• Cases are being referred to the Fiscalía (Prosecutor's Office) for investigation
• EMOV and ANT (National Transit Agency) are collaborating on a broader investigation into the scope of the problem

How Tampered Meters Work

A properly calibrated taxi meter in Cuenca should charge:

• Base fare (arranque): $0.50 during the day, $0.55 at night
• Per kilometer: approximately $0.40
• Per minute of waiting: approximately $0.06

A typical ride within Cuenca — say from El Centro to the Autopista area — should cost about $2.00-3.00. From El Centro to the airport, about $3.00-4.00.

Tampered meters either:

• Run the per-kilometer rate faster than actual distance
• Add phantom charges
• Start at a higher base rate than authorized

How to Protect Yourself

Before you get in:

• Check that the meter is visible and running — it should be mounted on the dashboard where you can see it
• The meter should start at the base fare ($0.50 day / $0.55 night) when the driver starts the trip

During the ride:

• Have a general sense of what the fare should be for common routes (see above)
• If the meter seems to be climbing unusually fast, say something — a polite "Disculpe, ¿está bien el taxímetro?" goes a long way
• Use Google Maps to track the route — you'll see if the driver is taking a longer path than necessary

If you think you were overcharged:

• Note the taxi's number — it's displayed on the doors and roof
• Ask for a receipt — you have the right to one
• File a complaint with EMOV: Call 140 or visit their offices on Av. Solano
• Report to ECU 911 if the situation feels unsafe

Alternatives:

• Ride-hailing apps (inDriver is popular in Cuenca) let you negotiate or set a price before the ride
• Regular drivers — many expats develop relationships with a trusted taxi driver who they call directly. Ask in expat groups for recommendations

Source: El Mercurio