- Local watchdog suggests reforms being made to Jersey’s taxi and cab industry ‘will be confusing’ for customers
- CIRCA have ‘expressed concern’ over the Transport Departments plan to retain a two-tier pricing structure
- WATCH: We asked Islanders whether taxi drivers should be forced to provide wheelchair access
- Are Jersey taxis and cabs too expensive? Take part in our poll
Under new measures announced by Transport Minister Eddie Noel this week, all Jersey taxis will need to meet certain requirements by 2019, including having wheelchair access and distinctive colours and markings.
A new pricing structure will also be put in place so that all taxis, which use ranks and have regulated maximum fares, and cabs, which are private hire and set their own prices, have the same tariffs.
The new tariffs will have a two-tier structure of ‘standard’ and ‘enhanced’ for late night and bank holiday fares, which is aimed to simplify the market for consumers.
Additional charges for luggage, extra passengers and working on Sundays will be scrapped.
But the Channel Islands Competition and Regulatory Authorities yesterday ‘expressed concern’ that the proposals are not in the best interests of consumers and ‘will be confusing’.
CICRA chief executive Michael Byrne said: ‘We are, and will continue to be, supportive of changes to the taxi industry when they promote competition, innovation and are in the best interests of consumers.
He added: ‘Ultimately what consumers want is a service that is available when needed, is safe, reliable and value for money. It is not at all clear that these proposals will meet those needs.’
In a statement released yesterday CICRA, which was set up to promote competition and consumer interests in the Channel Islands, said that it had consulted with the Transport Department ‘throughout the five years’ since the reform process had started.
The Jersey Taxi Drivers’ Association also criticised the proposals earlier this week, pointing out that forcing all taxis to have wheelchair access within the next three years would be a significant cost to drivers and threaten their livelihood.
Under the new measures, taxi and cab drivers will also be expected to meet certain customer service standards such as fluency in English and disability awareness.
