Taxi fares on the Isle of Wight WILL become even more expensive on 1st June with a 2-mile journey increasing by at least £1.10.
The Isle of Wight Council approved the increase on Thursday night after months of deliberation and objections causing the price hike to be paused.
The issue was first discussed in March, when the proposed prices were put out for consultation. They would have been automatically approved if there had been no objections. However, 5 representations were received, including 1 from a taxi driver who objected, citing fears for a knock-on impact on pubs and restaurants, and possibly leading to more drink driving.
The taxi driver of 4 years believed the fares were already overpriced and said an increase would lead to a significant drop in business, especially at night.
The majority of the Island’s taxi trade had been supportive of the increase, during consultation with the council, due to rising running fuel costs, service charges and insurance fees.
The increase will now see a 2-mile journey, charged on the lowest tariff, increase by £1.10.
Most charges have not risen since 2014 but the hike in prices now had been described by council officers as ‘significant’, with concerns about how the public may react.
What are the changes?
- The initial ‘flag drop’, or hire fee also covering the first half a mile of the journey, increases by 50p
- Each quarter mile, after the flag drop, increases between 10p and 50p depending on the tariff
- The taxi waiting time during a trip increases between 20p and 70p a minute depending on the tariff
- Sundays become more expensive, moving into tariff two, the same rate as bank and public holidays
- The cost for transporting animals doubles from 50p to £1 per animal
- ‘Soiling charge’ increases to £100, from £70
- Tariff hours – travel will cost more from 20:00 through to 06:00 when the higher tariff used to start at 22:00
Council just made a drama out of something which was always going to happen. Seems like their modus operandi. Like the Ryde Interchange, and the housing estates.
So the iow Council approve this, but the iow Council and amey won’t pay our fabulous bin personnel a fair wage?
Perhaps we should look at the salaries (and pension contributions) of that useless Waste Department’s managers and see just how much of a ‘fair wage’ they are on for their useless performance?
Think I might use my £150 council rebate on a taxi ride. It won’t last long but think of the fun!
Just like the busses and the council tax. Far too expensive so I won’t be using them. Id rather walk
We need Uber and Lyft to set up here and provide affordable transport.
The fare tariff which is set by the council is the highest rate that can be charged. The taxi firms and independent solo drivers can charge what they want as long as they do not exceed them. Many years ago before I retired I had my own taxi and rarely charged the set tariff and did extremely well as customers used me rather than other taxis. Of course this did not go down well with the other drivers but I was nearly always busy. My advice is to find an independent driver and negotiate a fare before you set off.