TAXI drivers in Bolton have ruled out any attempt to capitalise on the Commonwealth Games by increasing fares this summer.

Although thousands of people will arrive in the town over the 10-day period, cabbies are to charge their usual amount.

It is in stark contrast to the demands of drivers in Sydney during the 2000 Olympic Games when fares shot up by 10 per cent.

According to Charles Oakes, secretary of the Bolton Taxi Drivers' Association, cabbies will not be looking for any extra increase on top of their usual annual rise.

He said: "I can't speak for private hire drivers but there will be no additional charges for using Hackney cabs.

"Most of the events will be taking place in Manchester anyway." However, drivers are pushing for taxi ranks to be situated at the Reebok Stadium where they will be ideally placed to pick up and drop off badminton fans travelling to the nearby Bolton Arena.

Plans for a series of shuttle buses driven by cabbies are also being discussed. Mr Oakes said: "It looks as if most of our drivers will be available in July and August for the Games and people are eager to be part of the event.

"There won't be any problems in supplying cabs for sport fans."

In Sydney, drivers demanded a Games bonus but Australia's Transport Workers Union and the NSW Taxi Council failed in their bid for a 20 per cent rise.

The Minister for Transport instead gave the green light for a 10 per cent surcharge on top of the city's existing 20 per cent levy for journeys between 10pm and 6am.

Passengers were furious, forcing the country's Department of Transport to issue notices and a series of advertisements in eight languages to inform Olympic tourists of the decision.

The government felt that sanctioning the increase would give taxi drivers an incentive to work during the event.