Taxi Driver Online

Well 26.7 per cent is certainly a hike, but it's the first rise since before lockdown etc


Borders councillors to consider 26.7 per cent taxi fare hike

https://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/24 ... fare-hike/

SENIOR councillors will next week be asked to consider a hike in taxi fares in the Borders of almost 27 per cent.

Scottish Borders Council (SBC) reviews taxi fares every 18 months and must consult with operators and members of the public on any proposals to change the taxi fare tariff.

The local authority uses a formula which was agreed between the trade, the traffic commissioner and the council to determine variations in taxi rates.

The last review was concluded in August 2019.

A further review was due to be held in 2021, however, operational pressures and the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic delayed it.

The council launched a consultation this summer over a proposed 14.9 increase but a higher hike is now on the agenda as a result of the financial pressures faced by drivers.

When members of SBC’s decision-making Executive Committee meet on Tuesday, December 3, they will be asked to consider implementing an increase of up to 26.7 per cent.

A report with the recommendation, from John Curry, SBC’s director of infrastructure & environment, states: “A formal consultation was available to both operators and members of the public and was undertaken using the council’s Citizen Space tool.

“The consultation was open from June 24 to July 21, 2024. The option to provide a written response for those unable to access the online consultation was also available.

“Ongoing discussions with taxi operators have highlighted the financial pressures facing the sector at the moment due to increasing costs and delays associated with the review.

“Operators are reporting costs increases of around 144 per cent to their businesses associated with increased operational costs including insurance, fuel, wages and other associated operating costs.

“This report requires members to note the consultation responses in relation to the 14.9 per cent increase and consider whether to apply an increase of 26.7 per cent which is more reflective of the current operating environment.”

Members will be asked to consider a date for any increase to be implemented and to agree a rise in the cost of a vehicle valet from £70 to £100.

Does 'up to' mean that the overall increase could be lower, or does it mean that's the highest increase when comparing a range of fares fares - ie, most fares will go up less than 26.7 per cent?


And if you're reporting a 144 per cent cost increase without questioning it, then maybe better to find another job

I mean, there may be the odd cost or bill that's gone up that much, but as an across the board figure it's simply not representative - it's £100 going up to £244 (say) over five years or so?

This is the problem when you leave it so long between fare rises. We had our last one two years ago, a lot of us think it’s time for an increase now of around 5% but some of the other lads think we shouldn’t have one, they stupidly think we should try and compete with poober!!. We’re already cheaper than the local PH firms some of the time. ( they have introduced a poober style higher rate at busy times, although it’s a fixed timeframe, 6am -9am etc)
We’ll put a survey out and let the members decide.

Utter stupidity from the council, and to an extent from the local trade, for leaving this so long.

Some drivers and trade reps find it easier to leave it until next year, but stuff goes up yearly. So should fares.

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