“I don’t need a major pay increase” – that’s the words of an Isle of Wight taxi driver railing against a controversial price hike, with a local charity also objecting to the plans, fearing for the people it represents.
It comes as the Isle of Wight Council is looking to approve a ‘significant rise’ in taxi fees — which could see some fares go up by 50%, as previously reported by Island Echo.
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 broke ranks and 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 Island’s taxi fares were already quite overpriced and said an increase would lead to a significant drop in business, especially at night. The council consulted with the Island’s taxi trade and the majority were in favour of the increase, due to rising running costs.
Local charity, Sight for Wight, has also submitted the ‘strongest objections’ to “what must be an unprecedented increase and therefore not reasonable”. The charity said it understood petrol prices are rising but the increases ‘simply cannot be justified based on that’.
It said its members, who are all blind and partially sighted, rely on taxis, many on a daily basis and with 16% of its members of working age in employment, funds are not available to sustain such a hike in prices.
The Isle of Wight Council’s cabinet is now being asked to approve the increase but is advised by officers to make sure fares are proportionate and affordable while still ensuring the taxi operators have a viable business.
Officers have also previously warned about a lack of public support.
If cabinet members approve the increase, the news prices will start on 1st June.
Why isn’t there more than one ‘price increase’ option? Eg, Small, medium or large.
Seems ridiculous that’s it’s this or nothing. Either punters or drivers are going to be mighty pissed off with the decision.
So for a few taxis that do school runs it will cost IWC- extra that’s more than what was needed for Wightcare . Increasing fares will mean less journeys to go around and less income for driver and more risk takers (drugged/drunk) driving their own car’s and accidents will will cost tax payers more. Heard that a fatality on the road costs over £1,000000 . Maybe it will also increase use if Beryl scooters !. Generally just see Taxis parked up waiting for next ride.
Am I the only one who thinks that the IW Council should not be involved in setting fares ?
It is surely in everyone’s interest to have a free market. Licensing should involve Vehicle safety , Driver licence and Driver legality checks only.
Commercial decisions should be left to the taxi operators.
The Council sets the fares so that all taxis in that controlled licensing district show/charge the same fares on the meter.
The council should have a Cost Index showing how much it costs per mile to run a taxi. That being used as a base rate (tariff 1) all additional tariffs should be an additional percentage over and above tariff 1 for working unsociable hours.
When was the last fare increase?
I can’t see what the initial hire charges are per each tariff as it only shows what I presume is the flag-fall for up to ½ mile.
As a taxi driver, I definitely think there should not be an increase, the more cost go up the more taxi drivers will be sat on Ranks doing nothing.
The cheaper equals more work….better to earn something than nothing, especially during the winter..
Islanders once again being priced out of services. Poverty is looming.
This is a golden opportunity for Uber or Lyft to get going on the island, the taxi rats are extortionate.