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Cab drivers want a fuel surcharge added to the cost of fares
 TAXI
drivers in Ireland are seeking a ?1 fuel surcharge on all fares because
of soaring petrol and diesel costs.
The National Taxi Drivers Union (NTDU) is planning to meet with other
taxi and hackney organisations next week to discuss the possibility of
the various unions making a group application.
The NTDU says its fuel costs have risen by more than 13 per cent since
January.
But it is unable to adjust fares as drivers are obliged to charge no more
than the national maximum taxi fare as set by their specially-calibrated
meters.
Like airlines the surcharge could be kept under review to take account
of change in fuel prices.
According to the Automobile Association the average national petrol price
across Ireland is 118.8 cent per litre — compared with 103.4 cent
per litre last January.
Diesel has risen from 103.5 cent per litre to 117.3 cent.
A motorist driving an average family car will see their annual petrol
costs rise ?277 if the high fuel costs remain.
This figure is based on driving 20,000km a year and using 1,800 litres
of petrol.
The taxi drivers are seeking a blanket ?1 charge as they say it is easier
to introduce and could just be applied to all fares as an extra.
They are planning to ask Ireland’s Taxi Regulator to introduce the
surcharge as soon as possible.
But it is believed senior Government figures may be against the move as
it is likely to further increase inflation at a time when there are fears
the economic boom may be starting to slow down. |
