Taxi fares in Conwy could go up 20p a mileTAXI fares might go up by 20p a mile to help drivers cope with tough economic times and to bring them closer to prices in other counties.
But a pensioners’ charity has criticised the proposed hike in already burgeoning living costs.
Conwy’s licensing and regulation committee has recently been asked by several hackney drivers to increase its fares.
The committee will consider the request for a rise – the first in almost five years – at a meeting on Monday, March 18 at 6pm.
If the spike is approved, the council would start a consultation which would consider any objections to the proposed increase. Current prices were set in June 2008.
One company proposing the change is Interlink Taxis Ltd in Council Street West, Llandudno.
In a letter to Conwy Council, its directors said: “The drivers who hire our services at Interlink Taxis have asked us to make contact with Conwy Council regulatory services with a view to a change in the table of fares.”
They say that in the “present difficult economic climate, the drivers’ opinion is that the fare for the first mile should remain at £2.60, but that the fare for the second and subsequent miles should rise from £2.20 per mile to £2.40 per mile.
The directors add: “This would move Conwy nearer to the level of Denbighshire on fares.”
And the directors say that such a rise would “provide much needed extra income for the drivers without unduly penalising the travelling public.”
Interlink Taxis’ directors suggest it would be “beneficial” for the fare change to be brought in by Easter, with Good Friday starting on March 29.
Prices vary in neighbouring counties.
In Gwynedd, passengers are charged £3 if the journey is below a mile. If the distance is more than one mile, it costs £2.50 for the first mile and 25p for subsequent one tenths of a mile or uncompleted tenths of a mile.
In Denbighshire, customers are charged £3.60 on average for the first mile in daytime or £4.70 on average for the first mile at night.
Age Cymru, which encompasses Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged, criticised any fare increase as many pensioners rely on taxis.
Spokesman Iwan Roberts said: “This would be another example of the rising cost of living potentially affecting people on low, fixed incomes. Access to affordable transport is vital to combat isolation among older people.”
The independent charity called for “urgent action” from the UK and Welsh Governments to address “pensioner poverty”.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-w ... -33001515/
Login
Register
FAQ
