BY IRWIN ANGIKI
As fuel prices are expected to rise tomorrow, a standard rate for taxi fare is still to be settled on.
Taxi owners and service owners are feeling the brunt of the mid-April jump in fuel prices with the current rate of $10 per kilometre. This is with a backdrop of Honiara’s severe traffic as road works continue in the city’s CBD.
The Honiara City Council (HCC) is currently in informal dialogue with the city’s taxi service with the aim to ensure that any increase in taxi rates should mirror the fuel price increase, and also be a genuine temporary measure to mitigate the fuel price increase.
City Clerk Justus Denni told Island Sun yesterday that HCC understands the challenges the fuel price increase is having on everyone, and wishes fairness for all if any increase in taxi fare rate is to happen.
“Taxi services should confirm if they increase their rates, it is purposely to buffer the high fuel prices, and will likewise decrease when fuel prices drop back in the future. Any increase would be done on a collective agreement basis.
“HCC does not have any ordinance for taxi fare, unlike bus fare. Without any formal executive resolution, I would say if there should be any taxi fare rate increase it should match the fuel price increase.
“What would happen if fuel price reduce, will taxi rates likewise reduce? If the increase in taxi rates is because of the fuel price increase, then if there is any reduction in fuel price in the future, then the rates must likewise be reduced,” Clerk Denni said.
Meanwhile, taxi fare rates are being applied ad hoc as taxi services scramble to rally together to come up with an agreed figure.
It is understood Kings and Classic taxi services are running at $12 per km.
Kings is looking at options which would be fair on both customers and taxi owners, such as having day-time rates at $12 per km to help students and working customers, and a night-time rate of $15 per km.
Classics Taxi service owner Sasani told Island Sun yesterday the new rate stands while they wait for any collective agreement between HCC and taxi services.
Prince Taxi service representative, Deme, told Island Sun yesterday they have come up with $15 per km after dialoguing and feedback with their clients.
He explains that for long distances such as 7km or more, they charge the normal $10 per km, whereas $15 per km for short distances such as a kilometre.
The hourly rate of $100 per hour, and $150 from Honiara CBD to the airport remains, Deme said.
“We make sure our drivers inform customers of the rate increase to allow them to choose whether to get off or accept the new rate and continue on the journey.”
Current fuel prices, which were effective on April 21, are petrol at $12.45 per litre and diesel at $13.24 per litre.
In a previous Island Sun report following the increase, taxi services Prince and Classic shared that their drivers were reporting huge losses at the usual rate of $10 per km.
The severe traffic in Honiara, coupled with the hot temperatures, made it more challenging with relatively short distances taking longer to reach while air-condition consumed fuel more.
Fuel prices are reported to rise at the beginning of next month, which is tomorrow. New prices take effect midnight tonight.
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
