Taxi drivers are refusing Transport Minister Ewart Brown any leeway in the ongoing taxi dispute, saying that while they are happy to have taxi fare increases, the increase given is not what they agreed to.

Dr. Brown announced last week in a Press conference alongside Bermuda Taxi Owners Association representatives that taxi fares will be increased by 20 percent and shared rides were to be introduced to and from the Bermuda International Airport. “Both these will be effective as of September 1,” he said, adding he hoped the move would mark “a positive change in the nature of the relationship between the taxi industry and the people's elected representatives”.

However, BTOA spokesperson Lee Tucker said yesterday, the change was not 100 percent positive. “We are glad in one sense, but not in the other,” he explained.

The BTOA was concerned about the timing of the increase of two reasons, he said - the first being that it came at the end of the tourism season when fewer tourists and more locals were using taxis.

However with the end of the tourism season also comes lay-offs for many locals, he said, adding that the BTOA was concerned the increase would lead to hardship for those locals, including overseas tours operators who now have to rush to readjust rates.

“They should've put it in earlier to give people time to deal with it.”

The BTOA was also upset that Government did not confer with them on when the increase should come into effect, he added, saying that there were problems with the changes which would be harder to deal with now that they were already in place.

One example related to the change in tour rates. Rates were increased by 20 percent, meaning that a $30 per hour tour for four people should increase to $36 per hour.

However the regulations increased the fare to $35.50. “It's only fifty cents,” Mr. Tucker said. “But surely goodness they could have calculated what 20 percent is.”

The odd figure means that the next time fares are increased they will be increased by 20 percent of $35.50, not $36, leading to more confusion, he said.

The BTOA was also concerned at the cost of recalibrating meters in taxis. Though the process takes only three to five minutes, Mr. Tucker said, it costs around $250.

Though the BTOA understands Government has no control over private enterprise, he likened the situation to mandatory GPS, saying that taxi drivers have to pay for it whether they like it or not. “We're being milked right off the bat.”

The BTOA is calling a meeting of its members for next Wednesday to plan their next move, he said, adding he hoped it would not lead to further industrial action.

The Ministry of Transport had no immediate response yesterday afternoon.