IN THE NEWS
CRAVEN TAXI DRIVERS TOLD BY COUNCIL HELP US TO HELP YOU INCREASE YOUR TAXI FARES
Taxi drivers in Craven hoping to be able to raise fares for the first time in over ten years have been told they must respond to a second consultation sent out to them so an increase can be calculated by the district council. The Telegraph and Argus reports that a number of taxi drivers attending a meeting of the licensing committee on January 25 were told that all 124 of them had been sent forms to fill in to indicate where they were experiencing higher costs, such as fuel, repairs, servicing, MoTs and insurance, in order to calculate a suitable increase, but the response had been poor. Spokesman for the drivers, Peter Hub- buck, said: “We are not making a living; we’re not even making the minimum wage. The price of fuel has put another
£15 to £18 on a tank. The price of spares is up by 30 per cent and the cost of tyres has gone up by £25 or £35. A car service has gone up 30 per cent and every time you take your car into the garage (the cost) has gone up by £70/£80/£100. We are on our knees.” Council solicitor Annette Moppett said the first consultation expired on December 17 but only 10 out of 124 responses were returned. She told members: “Unfortunately these responses provided insufficient data to calculate a reasonable evidence-based draft revised table of fares.” Licensing committee chairman Cllr Simon Myers added there hadn’t been a fare increase for ten years because no one had asked for one. “We would look at it annually if we are asked,” he said.
He added that drivers deserved an increase, but said it had to be done properly in case it was challenged by the public. “You need a proper whack. You do a great job in Craven,” he said. Members agreed. Cllr Andy Solloway said: “They (drivers) have been essential during the pandemic. We need to proceed with this as quickly as possible. My concern is the timescale if we go out to another consultation.” It was agreed responses from drivers from a second consultation would be looked at by the licensing manager as well as Cllrs Myers, David Ireton and Peter Madeley and a draft brought back to committee. The public would have 14 days to make any objections to any proposal.
FEBRUARY 2022
43
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