An engineering student of the Open University has claimed inventing an "adaptive taxi fare" meter that works out fares based on the nature of the trip and not merely the distance factor.
At present the taxi fare is based on the distance of the trip.
The taxi fare meter invented by Kalindu Siriwardene, shows the taxi fare based on duration of the trip, the road conditions and the weight of the bags and baggage of the passenger.
Siriwardene said the present taxi meters cause losses quite often either to the passenger or the driver.
He pointed out that the fare payable by a passenger carrying a heavy load in the vehicle or a passenger travelling along a hilly road should pay enhanced fares, the 'Daily Mirror' reported.
However, the taxi meters at present do not have this facility.
Siriwardene said his invention would avoid this disparity and provide a fair deal for both the passenger and the driver.
He claimed his invention had already been registered under the Intellectual Property Act and that he would apply for registration under the Worldwide Intellectual Property Organisation as well.
Siriwardene expressed his gratitude to the Lecturers of the Engineering Faculty of the Open University Nelaka Shayamal and Ravi de Mel for their guidance, the newspaper said.
