Taxi fare increase in line with RPI

Following the annual review of taxi fares for public rank taxis, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services (TTS) has agreed a 1.6% increase, which is broadly in line with the retail price index (RPI) for the period.

 

The TTS Minister regulates the charges for controlled taxis (also known as public rank taxis) only. Annual cost of living price rises are determined by the Minister in negotiation with the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association (JTDA) with reference to a special index known as RPI (Taxi), which is independently calculated by the States Statistics Unit and reflects the costs of commercial motoring.

 

In 2012, acknowledging the difficult economic circumstances facing the Island, the JTDA chose to accept an offer of 2.5%, which was only half of what was due under the RPI (Taxi) calculation for that year. However, takings continued to drop and reportedly meant a reduction in earnings in excess of £3,000 last year.

 

This year, in order to maintain earnings, an increase in the controlled taxi tariff of 1.6% was agreed in discussion with the Minister. This is broadly in line with RPI which was reported as 1.4% for the period.

 

The Minister for TTS stated “This is a fair settlement with the JTDA, which ensures the sector is economically sustainable for taxi rank drivers and keeps fares down, broadly in line with the Island’s record low rates of inflation.”