Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter
Despite the National Association of Taxi Operators' (NATO) request for a 60 per cent increase in fares, cabbies may have to settle for much less, based on the recommendation from the Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR).
The regulatory body's proposals to the ministry of transport and works outlined a 36 per cent increase in the base fare for each trip for route-taxi operators. This would result in the figure moving from the existing $44 to $60 and the per-kilometre charge from $2.50 to $4.
The OUR also recommended a further review of fares if there is a 20 per cent change in either fuel prices or the exchange rate.
Mindful of hardships
But the operators say they are willing to accept the OUR's proposals as they are mindful of the hardships being faced by many commuters.
"We would need more, we would love to get more, but that is something that we could work with," said Dion Chance, president of the National Council of Taxi Operators (NCTO). "We have to keep in mind that the public is facing increases left, right and centre, so as minimal as ours can be to make us able to survive in the situation, we will take," said Chance.
The NCTO president said he was also pleased with the regulatory body's proposal of a further review of fares in the event that there is a 20 per cent increase in either fuel prices or the exchange rate.
"This is a positive outlook for us, as it was something that was promised in 2005 but was not put in place," said Chance. "I hope the minister will put in place this little check and balance as the gas prices move so that we don't have to come back to this situation," he added.
Meanwhile, NATO president Michael Morgan, said although they were hoping for more, taxi operators were willing to accept the OUR's proposals. "Sometimes, is not what we really want but what we get we have to accept," he said.
On Monday, it was announced that Transport Minister Mike Henry would take his recommendations on fare increases to Cabinet, but discussion on the matter has been rescheduled for next week.
athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com
