Cuba ends ban on private taxis licenses

Officials in Cuba said they are ending a nearly decade-long ban on new licenses for private taxis and they will even let cabbies set their own fares.



The new rules will also allow private cabs in rural areas, though they will be under greater restrictions than city taxis.



Many car-owning Cubans already offer taxi services, but run the risk of having their cars confiscated if they are caught.



Observers say the new rules appear to add a dose of the free market to help the country\'s struggling transportation system.



Officials in earlier years cracked down on private taxis, accusing them of encouraging a black market in fuel.



Just last week, the Cuban government also relaxed homebuilding restrictions in a bid curb a housing shortage.