Taxi fares to go up by 50 per cent on Christmas Day and New Year
https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/n ... -new-year/
Taxi-drivers will be charging for a ‘time and a half’ on Christmas Day and the New Year across Blackburn and Darwen, it has been announced.
The announcement was made this week by drivers from the Private Hires Association who said it was in line with what workers in other roles would be paid for working over the holidays.
The charges are in force from 6pm on Saturday (Christmas Eve) until midnight on Christmas Day.
They will come into force again on New Year’s Eve from 6pm for 12 hours until 6am on New Year’s Day.
It will mean, for example a fare of £3 will be charged at £4.50 during this period.
Representatives of the Private Hire Drivers Association had a meeting with the owners of taxi firms in the borough before announcing the temporary price hike.
A spokesperson said: “We just wanted to make people aware of the charges for the holiday period.
“This is in line with what someone else in another job or role would be charged for working over the holidays.
“Please be aware that these charges are only in place for these times and drivers are not permitted to charge higher prices outside these times.
“We think this is fair on the drivers and for those working through the holiday period.”
Blackburn with Darwen Council can only dictate the charges of Hackney cabs and not private hire Vehicles.
At certain times of the year, most notably, between Christmas Eve and 6am on December 27, and between 6pm on December 31 and 6am on January 2, Licensed Hackney Carriage fares may also be higher.
However, some companies across the county have chosen not to charge the higher fares.
Pendle Taxis posted: “We're delighted to announce we will be charging normal rates over the festive period!
“There will be no surcharges for any rides and we hope this little gesture will add a little Christmas cheer to what has been a difficult year for many of us.”
