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Murcia taxi drivers demand a fare increase to compensate for inflation
According to Radio Taxi Murcia, the price hike would only cost customers 30 or 40 cents per journey
The current wave of inflation has left no sector in Spain unscathed, and the taxi industry is no exception. As fuel prices continue to climb and fluctuate wildly, cabbies are feeling the pinch, with the overall cost of living rising dramatically.
As a result, cab drivers in Murcia have asked for permission to increase their fares in order to maintain some purchasing power in the market.
"Getting petrol is more expensive, but so is getting a car checked or changing a part. Everything costs twice as much and we continue to charge the same, it is an unsustainable situation in the long run," explains Fabio García, vice president of Radio Taxi Murcia.
Faced with this situation, taxi drivers have taken matters into their own hands and have asked the Murcia City Council to update their rates to "compensate for the current inflation."
According to García, they have requested an economic study to assess the current situation so that prices are in line with the current cost of living, which would mean a slight increase for customers.
"It is a very small increase, 30 or 40 cents per person, so it would hardly be noticeable when using the taxi service. However, for us throughout the day it makes a big difference," he explains.
Like so many other industries, drivers in Murcia are having to put in more hours to earn the same salary, so the change can’t come quickly enough for Radio Taxi. Moreover, the August heat drove many holidaymakers and locals out of the city, so earnings are down even more.
Another situation that has caused anger and that most affects taxi professionals is the increase in the price of insurance policies for cabs. According to Radio Taxi, insuring a new car can cost up to 6,000 euros and for some professionals this is simply unaffordable.
"It is an alarming situation, these are exorbitant prices that in some cases exceed the profits from our work," warns Fabio García.
Although the request for higher taxi fares has been submitted to the Murcia City Council, there is no guarantee that it will be implemented.
Image: Radio Taxi Murcia
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