Cabbies seek 10pc increase in fares

The Palma city council has described local taxi drivers' request to raise fares by ten per cent next year as “out of proportion.” Sources also said that the council would refuse to pay for the installation of protective screens in cabs, because there are medium-term plans to introduce GPS systems in the entire fleet, which would solve the problem of insecurity. Cabbies justify the ten per cent increase by steep rises in the cost of petrol and insurance, but the city council says that it is far too much for the public. The cabbies, for their part, have rejected the council's offer of an increase in keeping with inflation. Some taxis already have screens to protect the driver from possible attacks, but the council has said it will not finance them. A spokesman said that these screens could be financed by advertising on the cabs, “but never with public funds.” Talks between the council and the taxi sector are expected to continue.