..FARES..FARES..FARES..FARES.. SOUTH LAKELAND:
ROCHFORD: CONSULTATION ON TAXI TARIFF OPENED
Residents have been invited to have their say on a proposed increase to the maximum hackney carriage fare tariff in South Lakeland. According to the Westmorland Gazette, South Lakeland District Council’s (SLDC’s) Licensing Regulatory Committee heard that the hackney fare table was last put before committee in June 2016 and the decision was taken not to make an increase to the tariff. Requests to review the table of fares were received in 2020, however this process was deferred at the time due to the council’s response to the ongoing pandemic. However, committee members voted on Monday, January 17, to raise the maximum fare by 5.4 per cent. A 14-day consultation began on Thursday 27 January, but there were two objections to the 5.4% stating it was not high enough so the matter will be returned for the committee’s consideration on the 28th March 2022.
ISLE OF WIGHT: FARES SET TO RISE BY SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT
Taxi fares on the Isle of Wight look set to soar in response to rising fuel and running costs, with a single journey from Ryde to Newport costing between £3.40 and £15.20 extra and as much as £51.50. The Island Echo reports that drivers and proprietors requested an increase in tariffs following an Isle of Wight Council consultation with the trade last November. The highest increases suggested by the trade would mean a quick two-mile journey under Tariff 1, which will end at 20:00 instead of 22:00, would rise by £1.10. Other increases are suggested with the soiling of a vehicle going up by £30 to £100 and the cost of taking an animal doubling from 50p to £1. The last review of Island taxi fares was back in May 2019 and only made changes to a single set of tariffs. There have not been any changes to the other fares or charges since 2014. According to the report, council staff feel an increase in tariffs could be justified but are concerned the proposed Table of Fares recommended by the trade is a ‘significant’ rise. However, the report states: “…
..it is important for the committee to consider the wishes of the trade… “
..it is recommended that consultation is undertaken with the trade’s proposals, with an implementation date of 1 May 2022 if there are not outstanding representations after the consultation.” The Licensing Committee is due to meet on 28 February to consider the report and a recommendation to undertake a formal public consultation by issuing a statutory notice.
46 CONSULTATION TAKING PLACE TO REVIEW FARES
A public consultation is currently in place to review the taxi fares, proposed by Rochford District Council’s Licensing team, following a vote by drivers in the trade. The Leigh Times reports that the survey saw 85% of taxi drivers wishing to support the increase, based on the fare increase related to the general cost of running a taxi since 2017, including the cost of fuel, Insurance and Road Tax. The suggested new taxi tariff includes the following changes:
• Maintain the current starting fare • Reduce the yards from currently 203.83 yards to 191 yards (until £8) • Reduce currently 152.93 yards to 142 yards (after £8) • Reintroduce the spoilage charge at £100.00 (cost of cleaning the vehicle and loss of earnings) All other fees are to remain the same. The consultation is due to conclude on March 1.
VALE OF GLAMORGAN: HUGE FARE INCREASE ON THE CARDS
Taxi fares in the Vale of Glamorgan face a huge hike as drivers are struggling with increasing fuel costs. According to WalesOnline, the higher fares vary depending on the distance of the trip. Standard tariffs face an average increase of 16 per cent, while overnight and Sunday tariffs would increase by an average of 13.7 per cent. Writing to Vale of Glamorgan Council, John Lewis, branch secretary of Vale Taxis Unite, said: “Fuel prices and other costs have recently gone through the roof, and we are also struggling to get new drivers into the sector. I believe that an increase would help keep existing drivers afloat, and possibly encourage new blood.” A report to the council’s cabinet revealed the potential changes. Standard tariffs would increase from £4 for a mile to £4.30, from £6 for two miles to £6.80, from £12 for five miles to £14.30, and from £22 for 10 miles to £26.80. Fares in the Vale of Glamorgan is currently the sixth highest in Wales, but if the increases are approved, they would become the highest in Wales. The last time the fares changed in the Vale was in July 2018. The cabinet signed off a public consultation on the fare increase, during a meeting on Monday, February 14 and the fares are now in the process of being advertised for two weeks. No implementation date has been given until the outcome of consultation is known. Any objections would then go to cabinet for further consideration.
MARCH 2022
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