The cost of jumping in a taxi looks set to rise by 20p a mile, if new plans by the Isle of Wight Council are approved.
It was proposed earlier this year to increase the mileage rate by 10p but also increase the initial ‘flagging down’ charge to 50p. However, the Isle of Wight Council’s licencing team were forced to halt their plans following a large number of representations made by taxi drivers, as previously reported by Island Echo.
Now, under new proposals, the flagging down price increase is to be scrapped but instead the mileage rate will increase by 20p. This means that catching a taxi on the Isle of Wight will cost £2.00 per mile travelled.
If the new charges are approved, the cost of getting a taxi during the daytime from St Mary’s Hospital to High Street, Newport via Hunnyhill (a distance of around 1 mile) will cost £4.00 – that’s made up of a £3.00 flagging down charge which includes up to 1/2 mile travel, and a £1.00 mileage charge of 50p per quarter mile.
A journey from Ryde Bus Station to Newport Bus Station – a distance of 7.6 miles – would cost £17.20 (7.1 miles x £2.00 + £3.00 flagging down). During the early hours of the morning the same journey would cost £4.00 per mile with a flagging down charge of £6.00 – a total of £34.40.
Taxis are way to expensive, people can’t afford these prices, especially the elderly
I was always surprised at how expensive island taxis are compared to mainland. And now go to some lengths to travel any way but taxi.
I hear this all the time that London taxis are cheaper, absolute rubbish. Out of the average counties of this country Isle of Wight taxi’s are mid way. so stop slating us and by the way you have two choices, you can use us or not, keep complaining or walk.
back in january 2019 – isle of wight fares…as stated on island news.
This means the maximum Islanders could pay for a five mile journey between 8am and 10pm (excluding bank and public holidays) is £12.05, compared to £11.10 previously.
Transport for london say…
4 miles
16 – 30 mins £16 – £23 between 0500 and 2000 monday to friday and £17 – £24 between 2000 and 2200.
This means Ryde to Newport during the day is £17.60 in total for 7.6 miles, which includes £3 flagging down charge
six miles in a cab in london is £24-£31 with more to pay to get to the 7.6miles travelled on the island. In other words, london
cabs are twice as expensive for the same distance, when comparing Ryde to Newport.
Get the bus if you do not wish to have a private hire journey.