Headlines:
| Taxi operators accept 25% hike for now |
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| Friday, 09 May 2008 | |
 Taxi operators who were up in arms over the 25% fare
increase granted by Cabinet have decided to put their demand for a higher
adjustment on hold.This follows a meeting Thursday with representatives of taxi Associations and Transport Minister Mike Henry. The operators had planned to use the meeting to lobby for an increase in line with the 36% recommended by the Office of Utilities Regulation. But in a change of position, President of the National Council of Taxi Associations Deon Chance said it was agreed that operators will accept the new fare structure - at least for now. He explained that a decision was made for the members to hold off on their demand for an additional increase pending further talks with taxi associations and the Transport Ministry. "We came to a consensus that the rates and monies that are being paid by the members today is a lot more than when we submitted our income and expenditure, so what we've been asked to do is get an up-to-date statement and resubmit it to the Minister for review," he said. Taxi operators are optimistic that at the end of the review, there will be a further adjustment to the fare structure. |