Taxi Driver Online

Taxi fares facing rise after licence fee hike

Friday 29th June 2012

Taxi passengers across Telford and Wrekin are facing a hike in fares after council bosses approved a move to increase the cost of a licence for drivers.

Private hire and hackney drivers have been left furious after bosses at Telford & Wrekin Council’s Licensing Committee agreed to an increase in licence fees – just some 18 months after a similar rise.

The council’s officers warned it could lead to a rise in fares, which it admitted would have a negative impact on taxi users, particularly the vulnerable.

The rise in licence fees will see driver’s pay an extra £15 for a six-month licence, from £90 to £105, or an extra £22 for a 12-month licence, rising from £148 to £170.

The hike was given the go-ahead earlier this week and drivers have reacted with anger over the move, which will come into force on August 1.

The council has said it is allowed to charge for the fees incurred by issuing the licences, which includes staff working hours.

But private hire operators, who own hundreds of cars across Telford and Wrekin, said they are considering mounting a challenge to the council’s claims over how much it costs to issue a licence.

Terry Spooner, managing director of Ultimate Taxis in Newport, said: “I cannot see any information about how officers have come to these fees.

If a private hire vehicle re-test is allocated a one-hour slot and that is to be charged at £36, why is the original test, which is also allocated a one-hour slot, to be charged at £47?

“Surely, if an hour slot at the testing station costs £36 both tests should be £36.”

Before the decision David Wilson, a licensing consultant acting on behalf of Diamond Cars, County Cars and Ultimate Taxis, said the increase would be met by a legal challenge.

He said: “My clients intend to challenge the lawfulness of those charges by asking the Audit Commission to direct an auditor to conduct an extraordinary audit of the accounts of the council.”

Source; http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2012 ... -fee-hike/

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Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

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Extraordinary audit of the accounts of the council?

I haven't heard that one before.

_________________
Kind regards,

Brummie Cabbie.

Type a message, post your news,
Disagree with other members' views;
But please, do have some decorum,
When debating on the TDO Forum.

Bet they're not too worried about the negative impact on all council tax payers when it comes time for their pay rise though.