It’s only been a few days since the government announced a blanket ban on new  third-country nationals seeking to work as cab drivers and food couriers, and concerns are already being raised that prices are on the rise.

Artist James Vella Clark said a cab ride from Mrieħel to Marsa cost him between €11.90 and €10.40 on eCabs and between €13.20 and €15.50 on Bolt.

“Good to see that eCabs’ option is better priced. However, this move to cut down on cab drivers is not only very badly timed at the height of summer but has already started pushing prices up,” he said.

“As always, unfortunately, we will have to pay extra because of this lack of strategic vision on how to start closing the floodgates.”

PN Msida councillor Christine Amaira seconded his concerns and warned that a cab ride from Msida to Valletta earlier this week was priced at double the usual cost.

“I ended up taking my own means of transport. This is what happens when those in power make drastic changes with zero vision,” she said.

However, others argued that higher cab fares are a fair price to pay in return for better conditions for workers.

Philip Cortis, the owner of an IT company, said that when a customer pays €10 for a ride, the driver only gets around €3.39 (which includes fuel costs) after VAT, platform commissions and car owner payments are deducted.

“This includes the time to come for you, the time taking you where you need to go and any waiting time in between trips So when you take a €10 ride, you are contributing to human slavery,” he said.