Taxi Driver Online

First Allerdale taxi fare rise for five years on cards

A hike in taxi fares is on the cards for Allerdale for the first time in five years.

The possible 30p rise will be determined by councillors at a meeting next week. The authority says it is working with taxi drivers to reach a suitable conclusion.

So far, just two drivers have responded to an official consultation but cabbie Ray Cottier, who operates from Workington’s taxi rank, said the feeling among drivers was for the starting fare to increase from £2.90 to £3.20 for Hackney vehicles – and nothing less.

“Most people give us £3 anyway and I would say most times taxi drivers would say to just give £3 so it won’t make any difference,” said the self-employed driver. “I think most drivers are expecting a 30p increase right across the board – anything less is not worth it.”

Mr Cottier spearheaded a campaign last year to throw out a proposed 10p increase, saying it was not worth forking out tens of pounds altering meters for such a small increase.

Ian McClure, of I.C.Travel, is backing an increase this year. He said: “My view is that the minimum fare should rise to £3.20 and the meter rate increased pro rate per cent.”

“The £35 cost to re-calibrate a meter would be recouped in the next 100 fares, in my case, approximately one week’s trading and I am happy to absorb the cost.”

However, Susan McKenzie, from Sue’s Taxis, is against any increase.

“I would be dismayed if the council increased the tariff this year, especially in light of recent events to try to encourage drivers to charge meter prices.

The last time fares were increased in Allerdale was June 2010, which saw it rise from £2.60 to £2.90 for the first mile. But for the past four years it has been frozen.

Gillian Collinson, the council’s senior land charges and licensing officer, said: “This authority reviews the table of fares on an annual basis in conjunction with a consultation with the taxi trade.”

Any changes to the fares will come into force on April 1, provided no objections are received.

At Wednesday’s Licensing Committee, councillors will review the hackney carriage fares and can recommend to either keep them at the current level, or make changes.

http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.1188022

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