Consumers were caught by surprise yesterday as they had to fork out an extra $2 one way for taxi fare between Port-of-Spain and San Fernando.
The increase from $15 to $17 has caused division among the fraternity of taxi-drivers opposed to the fare hike caused by the increase in super fuel at the gas pump as well as loyal customers.
With some commuters vowing to now use the Public Service Transport Corporation (PTSC) service, rather than having to pay an extra $4 a day, first vice president of the North-South Taxi Drivers Association Paul Lewis said his worse fear that they would lose customers had been realised.
Lewis has been resisting the suggestion of a price increase following Finance Minister Colm Imbert announcement in the 2015/2016 Budget of a 15 per cent increase in the cost of super and diesel gas. The 15 per cent increase pushed the cost of super from $2.70 a litre to $3.11 and diesel from $1.50 a litre to $1.72.
While some drivers felt that was an impetus to increase the fares, others like Lewis felt it was too little to substantiate between $3 and $5 increase as was first suggested. Several meetings to arrive at an amicable solution ended in chaos and Lewis said he was not invited to the last two meetings when that decision was made.
He said he had first asked his fellow taxi drivers to hold their hand for Christmas and until the government reviewed the budget in March 2016 but his suggestion gained no traction. As a compromise, he said he suggested a $1 increase but some found that was insufficient. He said unknown to him, a decision was reached between members from Chaguanas, Curepe and Port-of-Spain to impose the $2 hike.
“I had expressed the fear that we would lose customers. Port-of-Spain is more difficult to work because we are competing with the buses, maxi-taxi’s and water taxi.” He said while he did not want to be in conflict with his fellow taxi-drivers, he would observe what was taking place over the next few days and then make a decision.