Residents yesterday questioned whether the rise in taxi rates by 25 percent is justified based on the quality of service offered.

Brian Bothelo, 27, a help desk technician, said: “As long as they're on time, then I'm all good.”

“It's not right. We are suffering as it is,” said Carla Talford, 55, a courier, adding she will “most certainly” avoid taking a taxi home at night, as she has done every night this week.

Also a courier, Sandi Roberts — who gave her age as “old enough to take a cab” -- said some taxi drivers don't deserve the extra money: “Let me put it to you like this: we're suffering as it is. If they're giving a good service then yes, they deserve the extra [money], but some of them ... absolutely not.

“That's a lot, 25 percent. They're jumping from rate one straight to rate three, starting off. That's a lot, you know? That's a lot. It will most definitely affect how often I take a cab. From town to Spanish Point it's $10 right now. I have no intention of paying $15 to get from here to Spanish Point. Nuh-uh. I could walk there in half an hour. [Taking a taxi] just ain't going to happen. If it's only on long runs, or after hours, then I can see it. But during the day? Give me a break! No.”

“I'm a little disgruntled,” said 33-year-old Nya Wilson, a custodian. “It's already expensive, you know, especially after 12am. Taxis already make a good bit of change. It's not good. It might affect tourists, but I know it's going to affect a lot of locals. A lot of people aren't gonna want to pay that price. They should only [raise fares] if they're going to stop for everybody, because a lot of the time taxis do not stop.”

Brian Steede, 55, a parks worker, agreed the rise in fares will affect how often he takes a taxi home: “Oh no! I don't like that. No way. I have to take a cab every Friday night, costs me $50 from Hamilton to St George's.”

“Everybody's got to make a dollar,” said senior Sandra Furbert, a credit collector.

Taxi driver Michael Periera also weighed in on the decision, saying: “It's okay. I thought it may be a little bit high. I'm not sure. But the main thing is: it's okay to get the increase, but we don't have the people to move around. That's what we need, people to carry around. There's a lot of downtime in the taxi business here in Bermuda. We just need more visitors. Right now it's dead here.”