Desperate cabbies hit hard by high fuel costs will appeal to the Minister of Finance for a meeting to demand a fuel adjustment for gas and diesel prices.

High gas prices are hitting taxi drivers and may cause drivers to be reluctant to service certain areas of the Island where business is not guaranteed.

Michael Ray, president of the Bermuda Taxi Association said he is hoping the Government will consider selling gas at a reduced price to taxi drivers.

A gallon of gas now costs drivers $6.53 after the Ministry of Finance recently announced an 8.6 percent increase in the price of premium gasoline.

?We need some relief desperately, drivers of large cars may spend $60 to $70 a day on gas and on average a taxi driver may spend between $30 and $70 on average day and some may spend $300 a week,? Mr. Ray said.

?Taxi drivers cannot pass on a surcharge to customers without permission of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Transport, so they have no recourse.?

He said a taxi driver as a reasonable businessman, will want to ensure that every mile travelled will be paid for as it does not make economic sense to be driving around for an hour looking for work and using gas unnecessarily.