Taxi Driver Online

Council set to hold review into Helensburgh taxi fares

TAXI fares in Helensburgh, and across Argyll and Bute, are set to go under the microscope if councillors agree to plans for a review.

Legislation requires the council to fix scales for taxi fares and related charges every 18 months.

The current fares were last reviewed in October 2018, and took effect in April 2019, meaning that under the3 law a review has to be launched this month.

Under the current charging structure, tariff 1 fares, for hires between 7am and 10pm, begin with a basic fare of £3 for a journey of 860 yards, followed by an extra 20p for every 176 yards.

Fares under tariff 2, which applies to journeys between 10pm and 7am, start at £3.60 for a trip of up to 860 yards with an extra 20p for every 150 yards covered.

READ MORE: 'No demand' for more taxis in Helensburgh, says new report

Under tariff 3, which applies only on public holidays, the basic 860-yard fare is £4.20, with a further 20p for every additional 120 yards.

Charges for soiling, waiting and telephone bookings are currently set at £100, 35p per minute and 30p respectively.

The current fare scales were originally fixed in June 2014; three successive reviews since then have agreed there should be no increase in the maximum fares.

The requirement for taxi fare scales to be considered at least every 18 months is included in the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982.

READ MORE: Helensburgh taxi firm director says there's 'huge unmet demand' for service

The council’s temporary ‘business continuity committee’, set up to conduct essential business during the coronavirus pandemic, will decide whether to approve the review at a meeting by Skype on Thursday, April 16.

The council’s head of legal and regulatory support David Logan says in a report on the issue: “The local authority requires to fix maximum fares and other charges in connection with the hire of taxis operating in their area and to review the scales for taxi fares and other charges on a regular basis.

“The fares were last reviewed by members on October 24, 2018 and took effect on April 22, 2019.

“The delay between the fares being reviewed and taking effect was due to an appeal being lodged with the Traffic Commissioner on February 14, which was later withdrawn.

READ MORE: Council paying almost £100k a year for taxis for school pupils

“The committee are asked to agree to commence the review of fares in order that this can be completed within the 18 months required in terms of the of Act.”

The report says that the next fares scale is required to come into force by October, and the review process therefore has to start this month.

Mr Logan’s report makes no recommendation on whether or not the present fare scale should be changed.

The council is required to consult taxi operators in the area during the review; Mr Logan’s report also asks the committee to agree that this consultation be carried out in writing.

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IDFIMH

Clearly the above is the law in Scotland, but surely councils must have more important issues to deal with than a fare rise for a decimated trade that isn't in any position to have or implement a fare rise.

Put it back till after the summer. No one, not even a nutty driver will object, and if they do then they need locking up in the local nut house.

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IDFIMH