Taxi fares in Islanders' hands

By Richard Wright

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

THE public and taxi trade will be able to comment on whether Island fares should rise — and by how much.

On Monday, the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing committee held back from making a decision on increases, instead deciding to go ahead with consultation, which is expected to start later this month.

Island taxi fares were once the most expensive in the country but have been frozen for the past five years, and overheads have risen considerably. 

Hackney cab proprietors said they needed rises bigger than the modest increases proposed by officers.

The proposed rises would have left the fare for the first mile at current levels but increased subsequent per mile charges by 8p, 16p or 20p depending on the time of day.

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk