D/Martin taxis drivers fare increase is imminnent

President of the Association, John De Murrell explained, “It was a unanimous decision, we held a meeting. The cost of living has gone up, and in 2016 we had two consecutive increases in the price of gasoline...So we’ve been running on $5 for the last nine and a half years. So this is why we believe this is the appropriate time that we should increase our fares, so we can manage; because it’s very difficult.” De Murrell also commented on Finance Minister Colm Imbert’s statement that fuel prices may again increase in the midyear budget review. He stated that fares would not go up given that by law, taxi drivers are only allowed to increase fares every three years.

When asked how he felt the travelling public would react to the new fares, he said it would be welcomed given the number of passengers who have expressed to him and others that they (the taxi drivers) have been robbing themselves by not increasing the fares.