Commuters travelling between the cities of Port of Spain and San Fernando are now paying more. The surprise hike in the taxi fare between Port of Spain and San Fernando took effect yesterday. Commuters are now paying 2 dollars more one way.

It is now costing $17.00 to make the trip. It is reported that taxi operators working the route are divided on the new fare. The hike is being blamed on the recent increase in the cost of fuel. But there have been wide disagreements over the need to increase fares.

Meetings among the drivers failed to reach a united resolution. First vice president of the north-south taxi drivers association Paul Lewis is reported as saying his worse fear that they would lose customers has been realised.

Mr. Lewis has been resisting the suggestion of a price increase following Finance Minister Colm Imbert‘s announcement in the budget of a 15% increase in the cost of super and diesel gas. The 15% increase pushed the cost of super from $2.70 per litre to $3.11 and diesel from $1.50 a litre to $1.72.

Some of the drivers say the increase in fuel prices was too little to trigger to a hike in fares. There were meetings among the operators but no agreement.

(newscentre5)