Have Your Say on Changes to Taxi Fares

We know that our readers have strong views on public transport on the Island, but where do you all stand on the issue of taxi fares?

Have Your Say on Changes to Taxi FaresStarting this Friday, a three week 21 (working) day consultation period begins giving Islanders a chance to let the Isle of Wight Council know how they feel about proposed new pricing structure for taxi fares.

If you weren’t already aware of it, taxi fares on the Island are regulated with a preset minimum charge and the cost of a journey dependent upon mileage and time of day.

The new tariff would see changes to this structure as below (current fares in brackets).

TARIFF 1 (0800 – 2230)
£3.00 (£3.00 current fare) for the first mile or part of a mile then 50p (40p current fare) every subsequent quarter of a mile. Waiting time every 60 seconds will be 40p (30p current fare) and the cost for each additional passenger over 4 will be 50p.

TARIFF 2 (0600 – 0800 and 2230 – Midnight)
£4.50 (£4.50) for the first mile or part of a mile then 65p (60p) every subsequent quarter of a mile. Waiting time every 60 seconds will be 65p (45p) and the cost for each additional passenger over 4 will be 75p.

TARIFF 3 (Midnight – 0600)
£6.00 (£6.00) for the first mile or part of a mile then 85p (60p) every subsequent quarter of a mile. Waiting time every 60 seconds will be 85p (60p) and the cost for each additional passenger over 4 will be £1.00.

Fouling charges
If for some reason, you to lose control of yourself during a journey and foul the vehicle you’ll be charged up to £70 (£60 currently).

Here’s what Isle of Wight Council Cabinet member with responsibility for licensing Barry Abraham has to say about the consultation “It is important that taxi fares on the Isle of Wight are fair for both the consumer and the businesses.

“The current pricing structure has been in place since April 2004 and a lot has happened since then in respect to fuel costs, insurance and general living costs and we feel it’s the right time to look again at the fares and seek the views of the public”

Have your say
So how to you make your views known? Well you can start by completing an online questionnaire or if you’d rather put pen to paper you can request a paper copy from the Licensing Section, Jubilee Stores, The Quay, Newport Isle of Wight PO30 2EH telephone 01983 823159. You have until 5pm on 13th January 2010 to do so.

Life as a taxi driver
Oh, and if you ever wondered what it is like to drive a taxi on the Island, check out Anthony Greenman’s contributions to VB earlier in the year.

Image: Bruno C under CC BY 2.0