Taxi fares set to increase in January

Sunday 19 December 2021

A taxi ride home on a Saturday night could cost around 60p more if the latest tariff proposals are brought in next month.

All taxi fares would go up by 3.34% under proposals published by the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure which are now out for public consultation.

On the day-time tariff, that would add 20p to a short journey and 60p to a longer journey. On the night-time tariff and on public holidays, it would add 40p to a short journey and 60p to a longer journey.

Pictured: Taxi fares could go up in the new year. The States want to add 3.34% to current rates. 

Tariff one is for a maximum of four passengers and operates Monday to Friday between 07:00 and 22:00 and Saturday and Sunday between 07:00 and 19:00.

Tariff two is for a maximum of four passengers and operates Monday to Friday between 22:00 and 07:00 and Saturday and Sunday between 19:00 and 07:00 and at all times on public holidays.

The standing fare, which is the starting price for any taxi journey, would stay the same at £4.50. The baggage charge would remain 20p per item.

The increases would come into effect on Monday 17 January. Until then, people are invited to comment on the proposals. That can be done by emailing traffic@gov.gg or by calling 202228 or by writing to the Director of Traffic and Highway Services at Bulwer Avenue. 

Pictured: The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure intends to freeze the baggage charge element of taxi fares for the second year running.

The proposed increases are worked out according to the Halcrow Formula, 40% of which is based on changes in costs affecting taxis and 60% of which is based on changes in median earnings across the island.

Taxi fares were last increased in January 2020. This time last year, the States and the Taxi Owners' Federation agreed not to implement the annual change calculated under the Halcrow Formula as it would have been less than 1%. But that figure has been included in the increases now proposed for 2022.

The Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure recently announced that it would shortly begin working with a specialist transport agency to carry out a wholesale review of how taxis are licensed and what they are allowed to charge.

Pictured top: The taxi rank at the Weighbridge in Town.