Taxi fare freeze reconsidered by Allerdale council
TAXI fares will be reconsidered by Allerdale council’s licensing panel on Wednesday after drivers objected to a move to freeze charges.
The panel agreed in February to keep existing charges but to make December 26 a premium rate day.
The move followed confusion last year over whether extra charges should be levied as December 26 fell on a Saturday and was therefore not a public holiday.
But objections have been received from Workington and District Taxi Group and four drivers who are angry that fares have not kept pace with rising fuel, insurance and maintenance costs.
In a letter to the council, taxi driver Sue McKenzie said: “Once again it appears that taxi drivers who comply with the rules and regulations are just targets for another blow in an already difficult climate.”
Taxi driver Stephen Robinson said: “We are the only borough in the whole of England that does not have a higher tariff for Easter Sunday.”
The recommendation of the panel will be considered by council on May 19 and that decision will be final.
Fares now stand at £2.60 for the first mile and 36p for each subsequent mile or part mile.
Waiting time is charged at 36p per three minutes, with a 15p charge for each piece of luggage carried outside the passenger compartment or the carriage for the whole journey, 50p for each passenger over two and a £50 fouling charge.
Higher fares are charges for night journeys and trips on public holidays.
The meeting is due to be held at 2.30pm in The Wave Centre, Maryport.
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