Taxi fare increases include bid to encourage drivers to work when demand is highest

Friday 18 October 2024

A proposed increase in taxi fares could see the maximum price of a trip increase by 4.75%.

The rise would apply to all tariffs. So a two-mile journey on Tariff 1 would increase by 40p, going from £6.10 to £6.50. Meanwhile a five-mile journey on Tariff 2 would increase by £1, up to £24.10.

Taking a taxi on Friday evening and weekends would also become more expensive if the changes are backed, after E&I talks with the Guernsey Taxi Drivers Association found a need to support the industry and to encourage more people to drive when demand is highest. 

Before it comes into force, Environment and Infrastructure wants to understand the public's thoughts and opinions on the hike and are now opening their inbox.

Pictured: E&I and the GTDA hope the changes to tariffs could lead to an increase in the amount of islanders interested in becoming a driver. 

The committee has proposed that evening tariffs on Friday move from a start time of 10pm back to 7pm.

Saturday, Sunday, or potentially both could see the evening and public holiday tariffs in place all day, but would also see the removal of the 60p surcharge currently in place for trips on Sundays. 

There's a suggested change to the festive period too, with the time for evening and public holiday tariffs starting an hour earlier on Christmas Eve at 6pm. 

Last of the suggested changes involves the tariff structure surrounding size of vehicle and passenger capacity. Currently vehicles are grouped by occupancy in the brackets one to four, five to seven, and eight seater. There'd still be three classes,  but it would see that seven seater grouping shifted into the final bracket. E&I say this is because it makes more sense with the type of vehicles that cater to those groups. As the same type of vehicle can be used for trips of five or six passengers, but a trip of seven or eight would need something a little bigger. 

If approved, changes would happen from Monday 25 November.

Consultation is open until 5pm on Friday 1 November. 

If you'd like to have your say on the fare changes you can contact Environment and Infrastructure by email at passengertransport@gov.gg, or in writing to: