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Proposed fares for taxi & livery services now available for public review

The proposed fares for taxi and livery services in the Territory are now available for review by the public. Photo: GIS
The Taxi and Livery Commission (TLC) is inviting all stakeholders, including taxi operators, passengers, and the public to review and provide feedback on the proposed tariff. Photo: GIS
The Taxi and Livery Commission (TLC) is inviting all stakeholders, including taxi operators, passengers, and the public to review and provide feedback on the proposed tariff. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Minister for Communications and Works, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5) has announced that the proposed fares for taxi and livery services in the Territory are now available for review by the public.

Honourable Rymer said, “This move by the Taxi and Livery Commission (TLC) aims to ensure transparency and fairness in the rates charged by taxi operators to passengers. The proposed tariff which is open for public comment until June 30, outlines the new rates that taxi and livery operators will be required to adhere to.”

Striking a balance

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Mrs Elvia Smith-Maduro said that the proposed fares strikes a balance between the needs of operators and the needs of passengers, and stakeholders are encouraged to review and provide feedback on the proposal.

Mrs Maduro in a Government Information Service (GIS) press release on May 29, 2024, said, "The proposed tariff is available for review in all Taxi chats, and hard copies are also available at the Department of Motor Vehicles, Ministry of Communications and Works, Maria’s by the Sea Front Desk, Road Town Taxi Stand, Waterfront Taxi Stand and Quality Taxi Stand.”

Feedback required

Meanwhile, the TLC is inviting all stakeholders, including taxi operators, passengers, and the public to review and provide feedback on the proposed tariff. 

Director of the TLC Mr Jevaughn J. Parsons said the commission will be hosting a series of meetings with operators to discuss the proposed new taxi tariff. “We have been working diligently to develop a fair and reasonable tariff that balances the needs of both taxi operators and passengers,” Mr Parsons said.

He added, “We are committed to ensuring that our taxi and livery services are of the highest quality and that our passengers receive the best possible experience."

Click HERE for Draft Taxi & Livery Tariff

26 Responses to “Proposed fares for taxi & livery services now available for public review”

  • bvi (29/05/2024, 14:24) Like (33) Dislike (0) Reply
    With those prices we need UBER !!!!!!!
    • Judge None (29/05/2024, 14:38) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree with your comment! We need Uber or InDrive here in the territory with those exorbitant taxi prices.
  • resident (29/05/2024, 14:40) Like (34) Dislike (3) Reply
    It's cheaper to rent a car and drive from West End to Trellis than take a taxi! In fact it's cheaper to rent a car to go just about anywhere. And you don't have to put up with attitude!

    These guys will be able to do two quick trips and focus on their real interest, dominoes.

  • when (29/05/2024, 14:44) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    When will the taxi license be available to take what’s taking it so long and a other season is about to start
  • Once dem aint come down (29/05/2024, 15:09) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I for sure dont wanna see dem
  • Typical VIP style (29/05/2024, 15:10) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Cart before horse again
  • RA (29/05/2024, 15:53) Like (18) Dislike (3) Reply
    Rates to high
  • Cindy (29/05/2024, 16:13) Like (18) Dislike (5) Reply
    these taxi men made a ton of money off the cruise ships, now they want to kill the local market? my goodness
  • iNTERSTING (29/05/2024, 16:45) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Although the prices are high, at least it says 'maximum' and not 'minimum' cause only then we would have been in trouble. But you need to address the roads if you want to be charging these prices. Also, I am curious about the routes because how is the Airport to Fort Hill $35.92 but then from the Airport to Butu is $21.90. Doesn't make sense.
    • Fix the Taxi service.. (29/05/2024, 22:31) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      They always speeding, stopping any where on the road in the middle stopping traffic to drop off on pick up customers, they are rude, don't follow rules, they have so much problems with the Taxi service and bad behaviour at the Pier Park on ship days, 'Fix that'. Its amazing they avoid the real issues,.
      • @ fix the taxi service (31/05/2024, 10:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
        We hear you but lets not forget those taxi folks have no where to properly congregate many may have to sit in there vehicles take due, sun and rain to await a call or a turn to be able to put food on there family table. They cannot operate like you who may hace a 8 to 5 job 5 days a week and you can collect a salary. They are diffrent now im not here saying it gives them the right to behave in that manner but you have to also view things differently and with a different mind set. A vehicle that works on a daily basis is high maintenance many times they have to spend much more then they make in a short space of time. With checks and balance the expenses most times out Weight the balances they are still in the red. Its not easy for them. A word to the wise if you have a job stay in it because all that glitters is not gold.
    • and (30/05/2024, 06:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      How could the fare from West End to Sea Cows Bay be more than from West End to Soldier's Hill. Would like to know the justification.
  • Great for tourism (29/05/2024, 17:26) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Looking at the list is a cluster. People really don't know how to do anything without confusion.

    Answer me this: Van picks up 8 passengers at the airport. 2 are going to East End, 3 to Road Town and 3 to Apple Bay. What is the total amount paid to the taxi for all three groups and how much is paid per individual in the three groups?

    And yes, you should be able to answer that question on the fly to keep a taxi license.
    • Easy (30/05/2024, 08:25) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Every individual pays the set rate as there are no discounts for groups or even two strangers going to the same location. The price is the price and it is ridiculous. This makes me so sad.
      • Great for tourism (30/05/2024, 16:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
        So $357.85 paid to the taxi in my example. On an individual about 3X a normal price and if charged for every passenger, ridiculous.
  • confused (29/05/2024, 17:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Call me stupid but suppose I am going from e.g. Road Town to Trellis Bay with 5 friends. How much will it cost us?
    Not how much CAN the driver charge us?
    It says $41.68 on your draft list.
    Each?
    For all?
    One way? Return?
    How much will it cost?
  • See (29/05/2024, 21:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Anything for votes I guess. Screw the non tourist
  • This not Priority. (29/05/2024, 23:08) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What is Priority is fixing and improving the bad service.
  • I Wish ... (30/05/2024, 06:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Someone will see the need to strike a balance for the consumer, upon whose backs everyone else's balance is being struck, as well. We continue to create a society of the haves and the have not. We are not tourists.
  • Dancing with the Stars (30/05/2024, 07:57) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The proposed adjustment of livery tariffs must be carefully addressed because while it is a means of lively hood for the operators, commuters must not be exploited. However, one has to take into consideration that operators don't transport tourists only, but many local commuters rely on these same operators to traverse the Territory. With the high cost of living that is experiencing presently here, the livery commission must strike a balance between the operators and the commuters. There is an old proverb that states "don't kill the goose that lays the golden egg". Many tourists who visit the Territory are resorting to the use of rental vehicles rather than using livery vehicles because of the high fares.

  • Complainers! (30/05/2024, 10:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you are not in agreement, go to the meetings and voice your concerns. We never intercept at this stage and when the Government implements things, we bawl. Go to the meetings and give your feedback!!
  • ... (30/05/2024, 11:34) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Someone post the rates PLEASE. Trek for a hard copy sounds fishy!! As if they want to sneak it by us as usual rather than make it widely available.

    In the taxi chats? but guess who is paying the taxi men??? LOCALS & TOURIST not other taxi men.

    This is one of the most phony industries & should have been open to competition to lower prices not rig up a set price that is always way too high. The taxi men dont hustle they want to do two-three trips a day and earn a living. Dominoes anyone?

    Meanwhile their customers are out here hustling for our cash.
  • Hmm (30/05/2024, 11:37) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes if I was a tourist id rent a vehicle for $70 - 100. Or pay a taxi man $60 beef island to west end for one trip + $10 for each stop. These guys are comfortable robbing locals with those fees.
    • resident (30/05/2024, 19:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @hmm
      The proposed fare from West End to Trellis is over $80. That may be per person, they don't say. And he will probably expect a 20% tip!
  • visitor (30/05/2024, 21:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fare from St Thomas Airport to Red Hook is around $25. Can you really justify 3 times that rate for roughly the same distance from West End to Tortola airport? I understand cost of living is higher in BVI but 3 times higher sounds a bit much.


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