Across-board fare hike 'not wanted' by cabbies

TAXI drivers must impose a fare increase that they did not want. The across-the-board increase of 5.4% on the maximum tariff came into effect last week, following an application to the Environment Department by the Guernsey Taxi Owners' Federation.

'That is not what we wanted,' said federation president Kevin Marsh.

'The taxi drivers thought the night-time tariffs were sufficient as they were and did not want to change them, but the Environment Department said it had to be consistent across the board.

'I want to make it clear that it was the Environment Department and not us that wanted it across the board. We just wanted the daytime tariff to rise, leaving the night-time tariff as it was.

'But they insisted it had to be increased across the board.'

Environment sought views about the rise when it was proposed at the end of June.

'As far as the Environment Department has informed me, it had only one letter against.'

He said the increase was needed to match costs.

'Running costs of the vehicle go up and the cost of living goes up every year, so what is wrong with taxi drivers having a pay rise?

'The reason for the rate having gone up is that it is expensive to run a business. Any transport business is expensive.'

The increase on the maximum tariff applies to all 125 taxis on the island and not just the majority federation members.

Mr Marsh said that, as far as passengers were concerned, the price rise, at about 20p extra on an average journey, would not be noticeable.

'You are not talking about a lot of money. It might sound it, but it isn't.

'But it will help us, of course.'

He added that 15 months had passed since the last tariff increase.

Nobody at Environment was available to comment.