More people than ever have been using the Guernsey Taxi App.

A local taxi company says business has increased by 50% at weekends since the app's inception in July 2023.

It was launched following a taxi review in Guernsey which found the industry was 'not fit for purpose'.

700 journeys were reportedly completed last week using the app.

Taxi4U owner Russell Lewis says the new booking service has drastically improved the experience for everyone.

"It's good for the taxi driver, it's good for the customer, and in the summer months it's great for the tourists, and also on the weekends for locals being out and about. I'm expecting it to be pretty busy over the Christmas period.

How the system works is that when a customer goes onto the app, you put your location in where you are, you put where you'd like to go, and what it then does is offer the job to the nearest driver.

On many occasions, I have turned up to peoples' houses within three or four minutes of them requesting the taxi. They have never really experienced anything like that over here before."

From January 2024, it will become mandatory for all local taxi licence holders to provide a booking service via the app.

Currently it is free for taxis to use but from the New Year drivers will have to pay a subscription.