Guernsey Taxi Drivers Endorse Fare Increase, Committee Aims for ‘Balance’

Taxi operators in Guernsey have expressed their approval of a 4.75% rise in maximum fares. This decision was made by the Committee for Environment and Infrastructure after a public consultation that garnered 13 responses. The committee declined a suggestion to raise driver tariffs on Friday evenings from 19:00 to 22:00, and throughout the day on Saturdays and Sundays. This fare adjustment comes after a 7.67% increase implemented last year. Ian Vaudin, who owns and operates Donkey Taxis, conveyed his disappointment that the fare adjustment did not include a modification to the tariff structure, though he noted that “it’s close enough”. He stated: “Driving a taxi, especially at night, is not always easy, and you need to give people the right reward for actually coming into the industry.” Mr. Vaudin cited rising living expenses and the operational costs of a taxi as factors making the increase “acceptable”. Mr. Vaudin advocated for an alteration in weekend tariffs, a proposal dismissed by Environment and Infrastructure, which he believed could “revolutionise” the taxi sector. He explained: “I’m really struggling to take on a part-time driver to work at the weekends, and the change in tariff would have made it much more attractive to enter the industry.” He further elaborated on the competition for drivers, stating: “If they can drive for a restaurant doing deliveries and get the same remuneration, they’re going to do that because it’s easier. “You’re always happy to see your pizza arrive at your door, but are you really happy to be delivered yourself and pay the price?”” Meanwhile, Peter Leigh, an accessible taxi driver, affirmed his support for the maximum fare increase but indicated he would not raise his personal fares, citing concerns that some of his clients might be unable to afford outings. He commented: “Every time it increases, we lose a few customers.” In contrast to Mr. Vaudin, Mr. Leigh opposed the suggestion to elevate tariffs on Friday evenings and during the day on Saturdays and Sundays, describing it as something that “would have been disastrous”. As a taxi driver assisting wheelchair users, he remarked that “to charge time-and-a-half for people who might only be able to go out at the weekends to see their families. It’s just wrong”. Mr. Leigh characterized Environment and Infrastructure’s choice to reject this proposal as “a win for the public of Guernsey”. Deputy Adrian Gabriel, Vice President of Environment and Infrastructure, stated that the committee considered taxi operational costs, the cost of living, and “a basket of expenses”. He commented: “It’s about making a balance. The service has to be fair to the taxi drivers and to the travelling public as well.” He further explained that the committee turned down the proposal for increased weekend tariffs despite the Guernsey Taxi Drivers Association’s support, following feedback from the consultation. He elaborated: “We didn’t want to leave vulnerable people out in the later evening and early morning if the supply of taxis dried up, with more drivers working in the daytime.” Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.