Infrastructure Minister Eddie Noel unveiled an overhaul of taxi tariffs, including a 4.6 per cent increase in fares and maximum charges for both private hire and rank vehicles, earlier this year.
However, Senator Sarah Ferguson objected to the changes, saying that taxi drivers had not been properly consulted and that a mediator should be appointed to find a better solution to taxi fare changes.
Deputy Noel said the changes included a 4.6 per cent increase in line with inflation, but would remove extra charges for things such as additional passengers and baggage.
Senator Ferguson said: ‘Taxi drivers are open to change, but would appreciate it if the minister and the department would understand when practical problems are raised.
‘It is a matter of communication and if people don’t listen to them it is a recipe for disaster.’
However, Members ultimately backed Deputy Noel and rejected Senator Ferguson’s proposition by 29 votes to 15.
The Infrastructure Minister said: ‘The need for taxi cab reform was highlighted a long time ago. Through the reform process, the primary focus has been to improve the level of service to the customer. A second concern has been to ensure drivers can make a living.’
He added that there had been a lot of research that had gone into the changes, that he had negotiated with drivers and offered concessions on his original plans, and that there had been regular consultation with the taxi drivers.
The Assistant Infrastructure Minister, Deputy Richard Rondel, added that the public had not supported the ‘wildcat actions’ of the Jersey Taxi Drivers Association, who had gone on sudden strikes in protest to the changes.
