Guernsey's minimum taxi fare to rise by 5%

Guernsey's minimum taxi fare is set to rise by nearly 5% from Monday, the States has announced.

Environment and Infrastructure (E&I) has agreed an annual increase of 4.75% as well as some changes to the tariff structure.

The changes mean a two-mile journey in the day for up to four people will rise by 40p to £6.50, while a five-mile taxi ride in the evening or on public holidays will increase by £1 to £24.10.

Deputy Adrian Gabriel, vice-president of E&I, said the committee had "taken feedback" on board.

E&I said the price rises took taxi operating costs into account as well as average earnings on the island.

Gabriel said the fares were the "absolute maximum" firms could charge but that they were "under no obligation" to change the top rate.

He said firms could decide to offer lower fares or negotiate deals with customers "to put themselves on a more competitive footing".

E&I said there were 13 responses to a recent public consultation on the changes, including feedback from people in the taxi industry and the public.

The committee agreed two changes to the tariff structure, including starting the higher evening rate at 18:00 GMT on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and increasing the price for journeys involving seven passengers.

However, it rejected three other changes after "listening to feedback" from the public consultation, as the proposals could have resulted in fewer taxi drivers choosing to work late at night.

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