Complaints of taxi drivers overcharging are investigated
INVESTIGATIONS into potential overcharging for taxis are under way, after a number of complaints have been raised about unusually high taxi prices.
Traffic & Highway Services confirmed it had recently received complaints from the public about prices, and the Guernsey Taxi Drivers’ Association has also confirmed it is concerned about possible overcharging.
Strategy and policy manager Colin Le Page said the department thanked complainants for raising the issue.
‘We would encourage anyone who thinks that they have been charged especially high rates to contact us so we can investigate,’ he said.
‘In looking into these complaints, we have often found that some taxi drivers have chosen not to use the metered rate, but charged a set rate. This is only permitted if the taxi is pre-booked in advance and if the customer agrees to the charge.’
He added that for on-demand taxis, such as those at a rank or those that were flagged down, taxi drivers must always charge no more than the rate displayed on the meter.
‘It is worth highlighting that, for pre-booking a taxi in advance, you can agree a fixed rate with the operator or you can ask to be charged the metered rate, but the taxi operator is not obliged to accept your booking if they do not wish to charge the metered rate.’
Mr Le Page said for those looking to hail a taxi, he recommended downloading the Guernsey Taxi App.
Guernsey Taxi Drivers’ Association chairman Peter Blondel said that the issue of overcharging had recently been brought to its attention and it had been in dialogue with the department to try to address the matter.
He added that in discussions with the department, the association had suggested taxi drivers should wear a lanyard to help passengers to more easily identify the driver in case of complaint.
‘While we are fully aware that this is not ethical, nor acceptable, we feel that the only way we can possibly rectify this problem is by and with the help from the general public,’ he said.
‘If they feel that they may have been overcharged, they must ask for the driver’s name and PSV licence number and report it to the DVL. Hopefully this will be nipped in the bud sooner rather than later.’
A copy of the maximum taxi rates can be found on the website at gov.gg/psv.
Anyone who feels they have been overcharged for a taxi should email passengertransport@gov.gg or calling 221000.
