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Jul 29 - Taxi Service Revamp – Transport Inspectors to Monitor Routes

taxi associationThe Gibraltar City Taxi service is set to see a new system implemented as from 12th August. Detailing the new scheme during a press call this morning, attended by Gibraltar Taxi Association representatives and newly recruited Transport Inspectors who will be able to track taxi drivers’ routes and suggest to them, areas that are in need of a taxi service. This new scheme will work through modern and effective meters.

The City Taxi Service currently has 112 cabs and 7 private hire cars, Minister Costa announced that the Association has no plans to increase the fleet, but instead wish to work towards resolving people’s concerns and improving the service available to the community.

The scheme will see drivers have to carry out a city service route for a certain number of hours a week, instead of them taking up the chance to carry out Rock Tours at will, which had previously proved an annoyance to locals.

Minister for Public Transport, Neil Costa insisted that the new scheme followed a system under which drivers and the service in general would be properly policed. He also announced a new Taxi Association Customer Charter, which outlines taxi customer rights. The booklet will be available from all taxi ranks.

Taxi fares will also see an increase as from 12th August of 3 – 5%. Minister Costa noted that fares hadn’t been raised since January 2011 and call out fares, luggage and extra passenger charges would remain the same. Currently the system sees a £1 extra charge for call outs, a 50 pence charge for journeys including more than two people and a further 50 pence extra charge for each luggage item a passenger might be carrying. The fare system follows a 20 pence charge for every 1km a taxi drives, or every minute spent waiting in traffic.

Drivers will now be required to follow a dress code that has been agreed with the Gibraltar Taxi Association.