200 people object to 45% taxi fare increase in CongletonMORE than 200 people have objected to controversial plans to increase taxi fares in a town by 45 per cent.
Cheshire East Council wants to see taxi fares in Congleton brought in line with fees implemented throughout the rest of the county.
At the moment, customers in Congleton are charged £2.90 for a one mile trip and £2 for every subsequent mile.
But under the plans residents could face paying £4.20 to travel just one mile, and £2 thereafter, to bring the prices in line with neighbouring Crewe and Nantwich.
The proposals also include a £1.55 increase in fares on Bank Holidays from £4.35 per mile to £5.90, and a reduction in subsequent miles from £3 to £2.60.
And taxi drivers who oppose the plans claim the changes could see more companies going out of business.
Darren Carter, owner of Mytax, set up his own taxi firm just 11 weeks ago.
The 43-year-old, who has been driving for two years, said: "Everybody wants more money, but we also want more customers.
"If the fares are increased, taxi companies throughout the town are going to lose customers.
"People will start making less trips to the shops because they can't afford the fares, and to a lot of customers taxi's are a necessity.
"A lot of people are elderly or disabled and the only way they can get out and about is by taxi. It isn't seen as a luxury any more."
Darren, of West Heath, Congleton, added: "Already I have noticed people watching the meter, so when I tell them that they are now going to have to start paying over £4 for a two minute ride they will simply just not do it.
"It will devastate not only my business, but the town too because people won't shop as often and will spend less when they do."
Cheshire East cabbies introduced a 10 per cent rise in fares in June, and drivers claim such a large increase in such a small space of time could spell the end of their business.
Geoff Cope, aged 65, of Congleton, co-owner of A J Taxis, said: "A lot of us have signed a petition against these changes.
"Trying to implement price increases in an economy like this is commercial suicide.
"It is absolute madness. People have no money and many of us are struggling to make ends meet, and if the fares are increased I am going to have to tell my customers that a trip which used to cost them £2 is now over £3. People will not stand for it and I don't want to see this happen."
Cheshire East Council is set to meet to discuss the changes on Monday.
A spokesman for the authority said: "The Licensing Committee is requested to determine whether the variation of fares in Congleton should come into force either with or without modifications.
"Two petitions totalling 201 signatures have been received, and it is evident that although there is an agreement within the objections that harmonisation is a positive step, merging the zones to the Crewe and Nantwich tariff may not be an equitable way to obtain this result."
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