I suppose that's a deliberate pun of some kind in the headline below
Anyway, this seemed pretty bog standard, and one of those where they say what fare increments are going up to, but not where they're starting from, so no way of knowing how much they're going up, even in terms of ballpark figures.
To that extent it was all very predictable. But then one councillor says something about 41.9% not being unreasonable
So had a look at the old tariff card, and it looks like the running mile increments are going up 50%
So maybe the 41.9% is on a one mile run, or some similar example, or other - because the flagfall looks like it's staying put, the fares won't actually be going up 50%, although on longer runs the percentage increase will rise towards 50%
On the other hand, it's just an HCA proposal at this stage, and we all know what they're like...
But it looks like - according to the piece - licensing councillors are 'overwhelmingly' supporting the numbers, and officials are on board too
Although it says the final rise will be decided by the cabinet eventually, and I suspect they might not like the numbers...
Other interesting stuff as well, like a booking fee of up to £8, proposed to increase to £10
(Not sure why they blurred the number plate in the photo when the HC plate number is still clearly visible...
And the vehicle's number plate number on the HC plate is almost readable anyway, at least when zoomed in a bit
)
Hackney carriages could become more expensive as fare increase toutedhttps://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news ... e-11071785Increases are reportedly needed to address the rising costs of fuel, insurance and driver wageshttps://i2-prod.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/ ... o_LDRS.jpgThe price of Hackney carriage taxis could become more expensive after officials recommended that the maximum fare should be increased.
Boston Hackney Carriage Association (BHCA) has applied to Boston Borough Council to increase the maximum fares which it can charge for journeys across the borough.
The association said the increases were needed to address the rising costs of fuel, insurance and driver wages.
But at a regulatory and appeals meeting on Tuesday, July 21, while councillors overwhelmingly supported the proposals, some members raised concerns that the plans could hit working people hard.
The plans had previously been put on hold during a meeting in June when some members raised concerns that there wasn’t enough information to make a decision.
At this week’s meeting, chairman of the BHCA, Keith Merlo, said the increases were needed in order for the business to keep afloat.
He said: “It’s a nominal fee. We’ve tried keeping everything down because we’re aware, if you charge too much, you’re going to scare customers away.”
The BCHA said operating costs have increased significantly over the last four years.
It said that insurance with full no claims discount has increased from £1,091 in 2022 to £1,438 in 2026, while road tax has increased from £135 in 2022 to £200 this year.
The BCHA also said vehicle license fees have risen from £151 in 2022 to £191 in 2026.
It went on to say that driver license fees have increased from £106.50 in 2022 to £184.30 this year, while servicing labour costs have gone up from £35 per hour in 2022 to £45 per hour this year.
Mr Merlo added: “It is something we have discussed, trying to look at annual increases – but [then] thinking, ‘well, people can’t really afford it at the minute.’
“But then we’re getting to a stage where it’s can we actually afford to continue?”
In Boston there are three tariffs, all with fares for distance, waiting time, and permitted extra charges.
Under the plans, the BHCA would like an increase to each subsequent 190 yards of a journey (after the first 400 yards) to 30p for tariff one, 45p for tariff two and 60p for tariff three.
It also wants the council to increase the maximum booking fee from £8 to £10 and put up the initial fuel price surcharge from 20p per journey to £1.
The proposed changes only apply to Hackney carriage vehicles – and not private hire taxis which are free to charge more or less than this threshold.
The BHCA also applied to the council to amend the start time for the standard tariff two to 9pm and amend the start time for the Christmas and New Year tariff two to midday.
Councillor Stuart Evans (Conservative – Swineshead and Holland Fen) backed the proposed increases, saying it had been a “turbulent” time over four years, adding: “I’m afraid I don’t think that 41.9 per cent is that unreasonable under the circumstances.”
But Cllr Stephen Woodliffe (Independent – West) suggested that it should be open to individual drivers to decide how much they want to charge – and it would be up to the customers to decide whether they are willing to pay it.
He said: “I don’t like the idea of this soviet-style direction from the top as to what you can charge. Being a free-marketeer, as such, it doesn’t rest easily with me.”
Cllr Richard Austin (Independent – Wyberton) raised concerns that the proposed increase would hit working people hard.
He added: “The proposals that we’re discussing this morning would appear to make us one of the most expensive in the county.
“Now, we’re not an affluent area. I’d say we’re less affluent than some other parts of Lincolnshire and it doesn’t sit comfortably with me that we should have tariffs that are significantly higher than most other authorities.”
Councillors were told that there hasn’t been an increase in the maximum fares since August 2022.
The recommendations will be considered at a cabinet meeting at a later date where a final decision will be made.
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