Taxi Driver Online

West Suffolk Council: Taxi fare review set for next week

https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/23254370.we ... next-week/

A second review of West Suffolk's taxi fares is to take place next week, with councillors recommending they should not go up any further.

An increase on taxi fares was previously agreed at the Licensing and Regulatory committee meeting on July 11, 2022.

Hackney carriage drivers had submitted a proposal for an increase from £3.80 to £5.00 for one mile, with each subsequent mile costing approximately £2.10 in the face of rising fuel costs. 

These revised fares came into effect on August 19 and it was agreed that a further fare review would be conducted in six months' time.

A report from Councillor Andy Drummond and one of the council's directors recommends that Hackney Carriage Fares should be kept at their existing rates.

The report adds: "In light of a reduction in fuel costs over the last six months, it is considered appropriate to maintain the fares at their current level."

The reasoning behind this decision also details the fact that West Suffolk has the highest current fares of any authority in Suffolk for a journey of two miles:

• West Suffolk - £7.20
• East Suffolk North - £6.60
• Ipswich - £6.55
• Mid Suffolk - £6.40
• Babergh - £6.26
• East Suffolk South - £6.20

West Suffolk's hackney carriage drivers initially requested the fare increase in the face of rising fuel costs, with some saying it would be impossible to continue operating with the current prices in place.

When fuel costs hit a record high in Summer, Gayle Scarrow, manager of Town and Country Cars based in Mildenhall, said she worried for the future of the industry.

"It's more money going out and not enough coming in - another struggle for taxi drivers," she said.

She also worried for an increase in taxi licensing fees and added: "Before long, there will be no taxi drivers left as nobody will be able to afford the start-up costs and regular pay-outs."

Members of the Licensing and Regulatory Committee are set to reach a decision on the recommendations of the report on fare reviews in their meeting on Monday, January 23.

Not the dearest fares around (and the running mile looks very cheap), but given the size of the increase just five months ago, hardly a surprise they're not getting another one at this time.

But fuel isn't our only expense FFS.

And inflation is still 10%.

Also, it may come as a huge shock to those LOs and councillors, but drivers need to eat, they need to live somewhere and they need to keep those places warm.

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IDFIMH

Waiting now until the budget.

https://www.suffolklive.com/news/suffol ... st-8070558

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IDFIMH