Taxi drivers defend third fares rise in 15 months
CONSIDERABLE increases in running costs and the cost of living has justified a third increase in taxi fares in 15 months, the Guernsey Taxi Drivers’ Association has said.
Maximum fares increased by 4.51% last Monday.
That followed a 5.35% increase in April 2022 and a 3.34% rise in January 2022.
Head of the association Nicki Bessin said the latest rise was needed for several reasons.
‘There has been a considerable increase in running costs, plus the cost of living has had a bearing on most, if not all, industries across the island, and taxis are no exception,’ she said.
‘Fuel has seen the largest increase, which is singularly the largest cost the industry has to bear.
‘While we are sympathetic about what fare increases mean to the public, we are the only public transport service, governed by the States of Guernsey, which does not have any form of subsidy.’
At the start of 2022, unleaded petrol cost about £1.40 a litre. It rose sharply during the year to an average of about £1.80, before falling back to about £1.65 currently.
Costs of many goods has been rising and Ms Bessin said when negotiating fare increases with the States, the association was mindful of the impact to the industry, not only for the consumer, but for those working in it too.
‘We do understand that disproportionate increases would affect the demand, but we also have to consider the livelihood of the drivers, and the negative impact to the consumer if the balance is out of kilter,’ she said.
‘Low wages would mean fewer drivers and far less availability for the consumer, an issue we are working towards rectifying at present.’
Fare increases are normally negotiated annually, with last April’s increase a reactive response to the fuel crisis.
Ms Bessin said that historically fare increases had been negotiated in the third quarter and implemented in late November.
‘A number of years ago, this was altered by the States of Guernsey and for the past few years has been applied in January, meaning we have waited additional time before the increase has been applied,’ she said.
‘This year, the increase, which has come into effect this week, should have been done in November 2022 so we are already nearly six months overdue.
‘Since having been elected as the head of the new GTDA, I have negotiated with the States of Guernsey on behalf of the industry to have the fare increases brought back to the November. While it may appear that we will have two fare increases in 2023. The reality is that we will be returning to the previously agreed dates.’
