Taxi drivers welcome proposed tariff changes

Environment & Infrastructure recently unveiled proposed increases to fares and changes to the taxi tariff structure.

If ratified they would see fares increase by 4.75% and the evening tariff start at 7pm on a Friday, instead of 10pm, to mirror current charges on Saturdays and Sundays.

It was also proposed that evening/public holidays tariff apply all day on Saturday, and Sunday, but a 60p surcharge currently in place for Sundays would be removed.

Taxi Drivers’ Association president Peter Blondel, said they were content to have been offered the 4.75% increase.

'This keeps us in line with inflation, just like most other industries,' he said.

'The calculation of all the fares are based on 60% of the average earnings in Guernsey and 40% of costs associated with operating a taxi.'

Mr Blondel added that the taxi tariff structure had not been reviewed for some 20 years and the changes would bring them in line with most other jurisdictions, where there was just one tariff all weekend.

E&I have opened a consultation on the changes and have asked members of the public wishing to comment on the changes to contact them before 5pm tomorrow. [1/11]

Mr Blondel said he was sure that the general public would understand that anybody working unsociable hours needed to be rewarded accordingly.

'I think and would like to hope that all taxi drivers will look to possibly adjust their work pattern,' he said. 'To provide the service the general public require at peak times.'

He added that they were aware that there had been complaints from some passengers that some new non-local drivers lacked local knowledge of place names and landmarks.

'We have spoken with the DVL about this,' he said. 'And we are in discussion to try to resolve this matter.'

Islanders can comment on the proposed changes to the tariff structure by emailing passengertransport@gov.gg