A controversial increase to taxi fares on the Isle of Wight is once again set to be discussed by Council officials, with a single journey from Ryde to Newport costing between £3.40 and £15.20 extra under the proposed plans.
Cabinet members will meet next Thursday (12th May) to consider the request by the trade, which comes following a council consultation last November.
Under the suggested increases, a 7.75 mile journey from Ryde to Newport (via Fairlee Road) would cost £20.90 between 08:00-20:00 under Tariff 1 – a journey that currently costs £17.50. For the same journey between midnight and 06:00, Islanders face a whopping £41.30 fare, which increases to £51.50 if there are more than 4 passengers. The same overnight trips currently cost £29.20 and £36.30 respectively.
The highest increases suggested by the trade would mean a quick 2-mile journey under tariff 1, which will end at 20:00 instead of 22:00, would rise by £1.10, whilst a 10-mile journey will increase by £4.30. Other increases are suggested with the soiling of a vehicle going up by £30 to £100 and the cost of taking an animal doubling from 50p to £1.
The last review of Island taxi fares was back in May 2019 — pre-pandemic — and only made changes to one set of tariffs. Most fares haven’t changed in 8 years.
At Licensing Committee on 28th February, officers highlighted that any rise “…must ensure that the fares are proportionate and affordable, but still ensuring that taxi operators have a viable business so that this important service can be delivered.”
Oh well at least the buses will be busy
All ready for the Isle of Wight festival next month! Funny that!
They can charge what they like but at the end of the day does the customer want to be ripped off.
License to print money these extortionate taxi fares!
30 quid for a 7.5 mile journey – pay that you would have to be mega rich, desperate, or insane. A similar journey in Portsmouth is under £15 so why the massive difference?
Greed