Couldn't be bothered looking into this, but looks like the second one this week where the headline 'hike' figure is misleading because it's only on the flagfall, and thus as the distance increases the percentage increase decreases
To be fair, though, the headline does specifically say the 'starting' fare, although I suspect that detail will be ignored by the average reader of the Watford Observer.
And, to be fair again, 30% on the flagfall is a fair old hike, and obviously on all but the longer runs the percentage increase will be significant if it all goes ahead.
And, in fact, the actual stated increase in the piece below is almost 32%
Starting taxi fares could soon be hiked 30 per cent in Watford
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/starting-taxi ... 00603.html
Starting fares for taxi rides in Watford could soon be hiked by more than 30 per cent.
A borough council consultation on changes to the Hackney Carriage Table of Fares is currently underway.
Under the new fares, incremental increases based on distance travelled would stay the same but the amount paid for the initial stage of the trip will rise by 70p.
For a journey between 6am and 11pm, the first 109m or 25.7 seconds previously cost £2.20 - rising 20p every 64 metres or 15 seconds until the meter reached £4.60. From that point each additional 128 metres or 31 seconds cost 20p more.
Click here to view the consultation: Taxi Tariff Consultation 2026
This means the shortest possible journey will be 31.82 per cent more expensive, but the difference will be much smaller for longer rides.
Journeys at night increase in cost more rapidly, but a starting fee increase from £2.20 to £2.90 will still be the only change.
Trips for six or more passengers currently start at £3.30 and this will increase to £4.
Double fares for Christmas and New Year, as well as charges for required cleaning, will remain the same.
The consultation will last until midday on January 30, with passengers and drivers alike able to give their views.
