BVI News

Taxi and tour operators’ fares increase

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Transportation Minister Kye Rymer has approved increased rates for the transportation-for-hire industry in the British Virgin Islands.

Fares have been updated for island tours, for taxi tours to all destinations, and for the cost of travel between cruise ship disembarkation and popular locations throughout the territory.

The minister indicated that fares had not changed in more than a decade so these new rates seek to align fares with the current cost of living and the cost of operating the service.

“The last official taxi tariff took effect 12 years ago, on November 26, 2010; and it is our hope that the new fares will allow our hardworking taxi and tour operators to earn a fair income as they provide quality service to the public, considering the domestic and international economic factors that affect them as they provide this service,” Rymer stated.

He said the rates were changed as a result of a meeting with the members of the local transportation-for-hire Industry on October 31. During that meeting, the majority voted to increase rates which have since been published in the government’s official newsletter, the Virgin Islands Gazette.

The new rates were put forward in a legislative document titled, Virgin Islands Road Traffic (Passenger Fares) (Amendment) Regulations, 2022.

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22 Comments

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  1. Rubber Duck says:

    Already the most expensive taxis in the world, and now even more expensive form the cruise ship dock.
    Am glad to see that the airport fares have stayed the same. Let’s see if the airport taxis try to increase their fares anyway.

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  2. Barn ere says:

    So the total cost for most trips for two passengers in JVD is less than the cost for one passenger.

  3. Rubber Duck says:

    There are no taximeters, the rates are not published in the cabs and the result is drivers charge whatever then can get away with.
    Mostly robbery.

    Like 16
  4. Also says:

    amend the law to require ALL taxis to post these new fares inside the vehicle and clearly visible so all the passengers are able to read them.

    Like 15
  5. Tax Man says:

    Question. Are the rates for the taxi drivers to operate going to increase as well? Seems that would only be fair. They operate without any checks. Do you think they pay full Social Security, PAYE and NHI on the monies that they earn. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think that a lot of people believe that the taxi drivers and tour operators get a free ride, whereas the rest of us pay our full contributions. Also, we often see taxi drivers flying through red lights (and other drivers as well), and stopping in the middle of the road when there is a lay by right next to them. Not all, but some of the drivers act as if they are entitled.

    Like 17
    Dislike 1
  6. here we go again says:

    Another disaster from Kye…1st it was the traffic turn around, the uncut bushes, overpriced elevator and the 6 million dollar patching of neverending potholes.

  7. Tourist says:

    For a couple to go from Great Harbor to White Bay is $80 round trip,,,,wow!

    Like 10
    Dislike 1
  8. BuzzBvi says:

    JVD taxi rates are interesting but taxi rates on JVD have always been a mystery. And people remember if you don’t like the taxi rates you can always use the public bus service. Bus stops have been built and paid for all over the island. Use the public bus service.

  9. Anonymous says:

    When will salaries and minimum/slave wages align with the current cost of living and the cost of food and rent especially here in gouging city?

    Like 12
  10. real says:

    MORE BS AGAIN WTH WRONG WITH THESE DUDES PAY THE CIVIL SERVANTS THERE INCREMENTS AND RAISE THE DAMM PAY F%%% YALL THINK GOING HAPPEN NEXT

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  11. Jim says:

    How about we allow Uber here instead?

    Like 10
    Dislike 3
  12. Anonymous says:

    Pay the people their damn increments!!!!

    Like 3
    Dislike 1
  13. Well Well says:

    Soggie Dollar better buy a taxi or they are going BUST

  14. Well Well says:

    Talk about killing the Golden Goose, beyond belief our Govt. approved this…

  15. dkd says:

    one passenger to white bay pays a total of 20 one way (wtf!), but if there’s 3 of you it’s a total of 15? (5 each)?

  16. hfd says:

    worlds most expensive 15 minutes in a taxi, what a rip off. won’t be going to JVD anymore then

  17. Jah says:

    This is what happens when government runs your business. Prices go up, not on demand for a product. It makes everything cost more. So we have a government deciding the price point for a service, already provided. This is not how the free market operates, rather this is socialism.

  18. @ Well Well says:

    This Government has been working real hard to kill our Tourism just look at the damage they have done to our Charter Boat Industry so far. Taking Credit for American flying direct to Miami now is a joke, they have also started to Anguilla and probably other small islands.

  19. Wondering says:

    The cruise ship people aren’t stupid. Yesterday at the Pier Park I was told, by some people off one of the ships, that BVI’s taxis charged way to much so they just walked around and were going straight back to their ship.

  20. Taxi cost? says:

    There should be a rate for a distance. Same price if there is one or 5. That’s the way it works in New York.
    Why does the cab driver always get the deal? When you rip off the tourist every time, the tourist is going to stop coming.
    Wake up! We have to serve these tourists! The BVI is taking them for granted.
    We are going to get BURNED

  21. Fact says:

    The minister stated the fare are aligned with cost of living only taxi man cost of living matters in this country?what happen to person in supermarket, teachers,and all the other work force in this place not to mention all who working at the hospital ? Maybe because most of the people work there are expats no care is given to them no over time pay I heard the staff at the hospital complained every day .so if you don’t pay health care worker them the sick public will not get proper care.

  22. Sarcastic Asian says:

    Surely a typo? No logic to that fare, compared with rest of the schedule.

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