Taxi drivers wait for fare decision
7:20am Monday 23rd May 2011
The meter continues to tick over the decision whether or not to raise taxi fares across Pembrokeshire.
Pembrokeshire County Council’s licensing committee decided to adjourn the decision on a change in Hackney carriage fares for further research.
The committee had discussed proposals put forward by Gary Slack on behalf of 44 members of the trade to raise the maximum fare rate.
Dyfed-Powys Police said an increase in fares could encourage people to drink and drive or to walk home instead of getting a taxi, putting them in danger.
Senior environmental health officer, Sarah Oliver said there seemed to be a “geographic split” across the county, with taxi drivers and firms in the north of the county objecting to the fare increase, while those in the south of the county supporting a rise.
“The difficulty in Pembrokeshire is it is rural and different areas have a different social set up and what is good for Tenby may not be good for Pembroke for example,” she said.
Of 316 registered taxi drivers, only 33 had responded to the county council’s consultation of the taxi trade on the level of fares.
Cllr Bob Kilmister said: “There is a real danger we are going to make a decision based on a lack of information.”
Representing taxi trade members who signed the proposal for a fare increase, Tim Lemon citied rises in the cost of petrol, tyres, insurance, VAT, second-hand cars and wages since the last increase in fare prices in 2008.
Mr Lemon said: “We need an increase to sustain the service we are doing today.”
Pembrokeshire County Council licensing officer, Alun Williams said young people were already using social media websites to arrange weekend ‘pick-ups’.
“People are looking for cheaper options and illegal taxis as a cheaper option,” he added.
Two sets of fares will now go out to consultation with the public and the trade.
Source; http://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/ ... _decision/
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