A Bunbury taxi service is calling on the State Government for help as drivers struggle with fuel prices

A South West taxi booking service is urging the State Government to provide more support for taxi drivers as the rise in fuel prices has left drivers struggling to meet costs. Operating for more than 40 years, Bunbury Taxis Co-Operative is a booking service allowing people to book a taxi 24 hours a day, seven days a week. BTC director Sue Davey said she was concerned the service could close if drivers continued to struggle. “I just don’t know where we’re going or how we’re going to keep going because these drivers are wanting to pull out because they can’t make ends meet,” she said. “It’s a very expensive industry to be in.” Ms Davey said she had already felt the repercussions of the rise in fuel prices after two taxi drivers suspended their services as they could no longer afford to operate. “More importantly, I have wheelchair taxi operators who could at any moment leave,” she said. “They have been impacted more than anybody else because they operate diesel vehicles.” While rideshare services have increased their prices, Ms Davey said this was not an option available to her and the drivers as the service was governed by the Department of Transport who sets a maximum price. With everyone feeling the pinch of the rising cost of living, Ms Davey said she did not want to see costs passed on to the passengers but said more could be done by the State Government. This included increasing the $12 lift fee which wheelchair taxi operators received from the Government for every job they do. “Bring it up to a decent amount so that it covers some of the costs of their fuel,” she said. Bunbury taxi driver Baljinder Manes works with the dispatch service and said he was now paying double the amount of fuel he used to. He said filling up the tank now hurt, especially with the addition of other expenses. Mr Manes echoed Ms Davey’s suggestion and said he too would like to see the lift fees increased. “So it covers at least the fuel costs when we come to do the wheelchair jobs,” he said. “At the moment everybody is struggling, we can’t say to increase the price that much. “If people can’t afford it, we’re going to lose the customer.” Mr Manes said it was hard to maintain motivation to continue in the job, especially after filling up after a day’s work and realising he was out of pocket. Mr Manes said if the fuel prices did not come down he would have to leave the job which was something he did not want to do. Assistant Minister for Transport Jessica Stojkovski said the Government recognised the pressures rising fuel costs were placing on transport operators, including the taxi industry. “We understand the important role taxi services play in keeping our communities connected, particularly for people who rely on accessible transport, and we will continue to work closely with industry to monitor impacts and consider any necessary changes,” she said.