'Fuel hike has cost me my business'

TAXI drivers are being forced out of business by the rising cost of fuel. Five drivers are selling their plates and according to Mike Mauger of the Guernsey Taxi Owners' Federation, three of those were because of the price of diesel.

'Looking at it from a business perspective, we are nearing a point where it is becoming unviable to run a profitable taxi business, as a group or as an individual,' said Mr Mauger. 'We are concerned that that time has now come.'

One driver who is selling his plate is Nigel Le Marchant (pictured) of NLM Taxis. He bought his almost two years ago, when he said it was very difficult to find one for sale. However, at present he is having trouble trying to sell it.

'The reason I'm selling is the fuel hike. It's crippling me, to be honest. It's costing me £700 extra a month just to get the fuel itself. Last year it cost me 49.9p a litre, now it's £1.06. Three fill-ups a week last year would cost me £102 now it's £216.'