<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Regional taxi drivers and operators are still dealing with the devastating ripple effect of </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-31-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/dff4c600-1131-4ea1-9c36-c24ba0df6fcb" rel="" target="_blank" title="skyrocketing fuel prices"><span>skyrocketing fuel prices</span></a><span> despite </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-shortage-australia-when-will-petrol-prices-go-down-explained/79bd42b8-cb81-4def-abf3-d4f6fec80680" rel="" target="_blank" title="promised relief from the government."><span>promised relief from the government.</span></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some owners fear they will shut down if spiralling costs at the pump don't ease soon.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Crown Cabs director Jacqui Shephard said her fleet of 35 drivers across Victoria are doing it "tough".</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-march-31-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/dff4c600-1131-4ea1-9c36-c24ba0df6fcb" target="_blank"><strong><span>Trump threatens to wipe out critical island, UN calls emergency meeting</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/health-insurance-premiums-increase-april-1-cancel-downgrade-switch-providers/9df5ccf7-0654-48bd-b60d-1a8a082e648f" target="_blank"><strong><span>Why thousands of Aussies plan to cancel their health insurance tomorrow</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>She said the taxi company was already struggling with the rising popularity of rideshare apps and independent operators who shirk the regulations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We're looking at things like... do we stay open? And we've been looking at that for a little while," Shephard told </span><a href="https://www.nine.com.au/?rf=true" rel="" target="_blank" title="Nine.com.au."><span>Nine.com.au.</span></a></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/petrol-prices-australia-crown-cabs-director-jacqui-shephard-business-is-struggling/3b3d5cc8-39f3-4c2c-a96a-65fcb712b7f5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Because we wear the fuel cost, which means that, with any more costs going up, it's not even worth us staying open."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Shephard said Crown Cabs' regular customers in regional communities rely on the service for wheelchair-friendly trips or to attend healthcare appointments.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Often, drivers are heading back to town with no passengers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>These "empty" rides still use up fuel and after diesel surged to over $3.20 a litre, that is potentially hundreds of dollars wasted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/meet-the-team/digital/april-glover#:~:text=Nearly%2025%2C000%20flu%20cases%20recorded%20as%20doctors%20warn%20horror%20season%20is%20looming" rel="" target="_blank" title="Nearly 25,000 flu cases recorded as doctors warn horror season is looming"><strong><span>Nearly 25,000 flu cases recorded as doctors warn horror season is looming</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Our costs have gone up considerably," Shephard added.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's really tough. And there doesn't seem to be any reaction or any support from the state or federal government."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some taxi drivers have reported seeing their weekly diesel bill double from around $400 to over $800.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>But taxi companies are not able to pass on the cost of fuel to customers due to the industry's tight regulations.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>There is legislation capping the maximum fares that taxis can charge in Victoria, meaning surcharges to cope with the cost of fuel are out of the question.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Even if they could, Shephard said her customers are "already struggling enough" as it is.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We want to be there to help those people. We're not going to be raising our prices ridiculously - and we can't," she said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jackie-o-files-lawsuit-against-arn-media/9defc00f-9e9c-4734-b7e6-387fecf4485c" target="_blank"><strong><span>Jackie 'O' files $82 million lawsuit after radio contract torn up</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/fuel-crisis-australia-how-rideshare-fares-may-increase-driver-wear-cost-of-petrol-explained/827f5cf7-6f6c-43eb-9672-e79a77459ec7" rel="" target="_blank" title="Meanwhile, rideshare companies DiDi"><span>Meanwhile, rideshare companies DiDi</span></a><span> and Uber have been able to introduce temporary levies to help out drivers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Shephard said there has been a rise of independent drivers who refuse to play by the rules too.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We have to abide by everything," Shephard said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"And you've got all the idependents who are just rogue cowboys who take work away from those doing the right thing and give the industry a bad name."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>For companies like Crown Cabs, it remains to be seen if the federal government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months will help lower costs.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government convened in a national cabinet meeting yesterday to urgently discuss ways to ease the supply issues and high prices impacting motorists.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Fuel availability is dwindling around the country as stock is depleted.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In Victoria alone, out of a total of 1,627 petrol stations, 82 are without diesel and 40 are without any petrol at all.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><strong><span>NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></strong></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><em><strong><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Apple</span></strong></em></a><span> </span><em><strong><span>and</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>Google Play</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>ticking this box here</span></strong></em></a></li><li><em><strong><span>Sign up to</span></strong></em><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="" title=""><em><strong><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></strong></em></a></li></ul></div></div>