..FARES..FARES..FARES..FARES.. HARROGATE:
HARTLEPOOL: COUNCILLORS BACK 5% FARE INCREASE
Taxi fares could rise in Harrogate after councillors backed drivers’ calls for an increase to help cover fuel costs and a drop in earnings. A consultation was held with 500 taxi drivers, although only 30 responses were received. The 5% rise proposal comes after some drivers said they'd been badly hit by increasing costs. If approved, Harrogate would become the 14th most expen- sive council area for fares in the UK, a council report said. Councillor John Mann told the licensing committee meeting that he appreciated prices may be higher than some areas but taxi drivers needed support. The 5% rise would be on the running mile and waiting times of journeys, the Local Democracy Report Service said. There would also be an increase in starting prices from £3.40 to £3.60 if approved. The request comes after warnings that as many as 50 taxi drivers in the Harrogate district quit during lockdowns with many now in other jobs and not wanting to return. Cabinet member for housing and safer communities, Councillor Mike Chambers, will now make a final decision whether prices should go up.
BASILDON: TAXI DRIVERS ASK FOR FARE RISE
Taxi fares in Basildon are set to rise in March. There will now be a public notice for the fare review for 14 days, and if no objections are received then the new charges will come into effect on March 8. The increases were agreed by Basildon BC at a licensing committee meeting on 20 January. The Echo News reports that while voting to agree the rise, committee members said the council should balance the needs of the borough’s drivers, who are struggling with the highest inflation rates for decades and rising costs of fuel and vehicle repair, and those of consumers, who are also feeling the effects of the cost of living crisis. The initial charge will increase from £2.80 to £3.20, customers will be charged 20p per 203 metres until the taximeter reaches £7.20, and after that an additional 20p per 165 metres. The night time tariff will be raised from £1.80 to £2 and the start time will be brought forward from 10pm to 9pm. A new midnight tariff of £1 will “help late nightlife coverage and ensure public safety”, according to the report. Taxis will charge a double tariff on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve between 8pm to 6am, brought forward two hours from 10pm. Finally, all tariffs will be starting amounts on the meter, rather than being added as extras.
54 FARE INCREASE UNANIMOUSLY BACKED
Councillors have unanimously backed proposals from a group of Hartlepool hackney carriage drivers to increase taxi fares to help ensure they can make a decent living. According to the Hartlepool Mail, the rise will see the cost of an average two-mile journey in town rise by 60p during the day and £1.40 on a night. Hartlepool Borough Council’s licensing committee has unanimously approved the increase, ruling the rise is key to ensure drivers can make a reasonable living. According to taxi trade publications, Hartlepool’s new hackney carriage tariff, at £5.40 for a two-mile journey dur- ing the day, will still be among the cheapest in the country. The proposed increase was backed by the Taxi Owners Working Group. All 86 hackney owners were consulted with nine in favour, 27 against and the rest making no comment. A public notice will now be issued informing residents of the rise. If any objections are received within 14 days of publica- tion then the issue will be referred back to the committee.
ARGYLL AND BUTE: COUNCILLORS BACK FARE INCREASE
A 15 per cent increase to maximum taxi fares in Argyll and Bute has moved a step closer after it was unanimously agreed by councillors. The Helensburgh Advertiser reports that the council’s plan- ning, protective services and licensing committee decided on the increase on Wednesday, January 19, after reviewing feedback from taxi operators across the area. However, only 16 responses were received from Argyll and Bute’s 106 taxi operators after a letter was sent out in October requesting their views. The last fare increase in Argyll and Bute took place in 2014. The proposed increased fares will now be advertised for further responses, and the committee will consider the feed- back when it meets on Wednesday, March 23. Council solicitor Graeme McMillan said: “We have a number of options. One of these is that a minority of respondents have suggested no change to fares, but most proposed an increase. There are a number of proposals for members to consider.” Cllr Richard Trail said: “I think we should increase the fares. It is seven years or more that fares have been static, and as taxi drivers are pointing out, fuel prices have gone up. The committee's chair, Cllr David Kinniburgh said:
"I am
happy to propose an increase of 15 per cent across the board.”
Oban North and Lorn Independent Councillor Kieron Green seconded the motion, which was approved unanimously.
FEBRUARY 2022
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