Taxi Driver Online

Fairly predictable stuff here, but in the round I'd say that maybe they should think themselves lucky fees were quite cheap in the first place.

On the other hand, certainly not much evidence of the economies of scale here that might be expected with amalgamation. I mean, isn't cost savings and the like one of the reasons councils are amalgamated in the first place?

First time I've really heard arguments like this from the trade framed in terms of the working class and the class war, kind of thing.

Great photo of the rank, though. Although zero evidence of signage and road markings to confirm it actually is an official rank


Increase to taxi licensing fees across West Northamptonshire approved despite backlash from drivers

https://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news ... rs-6579651

A Northamptonshire council has approved increases to taxi licensing fees, despite backlash from the trade which has labelled it as “pure greed”.


Image: Nadia Lincoln LDRS/Northampton Chronicle

West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has proposed a new single fee structure for drivers across the whole of the authority, replacing three different charge frameworks used in the former borough council areas.

This could see the renewal cost for a three-year driver’s licence increase by as much as 66 percent, from £140 to £233, in some areas.

Legislation requires the council to set its fees at a rate intended to recover ‘reasonable costs’ and not to charge a fee which is intended to make a profit.

A consultation that took place earlier this year received more than 60 responses from taxi or private hire drivers who disagreed with the new charges.

One said: “The cost of living has already risen sharply across all areas, including fuel, insurance, vehicle maintenance, and general household expenses. Increasing licensing fees further will push many more drivers out of the trade entirely.

“If fees continue to rise, the profession will become unviable, leading to fewer licensed drivers, reduced services, and a negative impact on the wider community—particularly vulnerable residents who rely on taxis for essential travel.”

Another commented: “Pure greed. Our earnings are not increasing then why are your fees. You are just taking advantage of the working class.”

A licence for a new private hire vehicle was previously charged at £198 in Northampton, £173 in Daventry and £270 in South Northants. The proposed West Northants fee is now £235.

A new driver’s licence for three years would also increase from a £190 charge in Northampton, £200 in Daventry, and £200 in South Northants to a standard £245 across West Northants. The cost of a three-year renewal will also be set at £233, up from £140, £187 and £200 respectively across the Northampton, Daventry and South Northants areas.

One licensed driver wrote: “The council provides little visible support in return for the fees charged, while road conditions remain poor and cause ongoing vehicle damage. Increasing licence fees at this time places an unfair additional burden on drivers and is not justified by the level of service or infrastructure provided.”

Concerns were also raised that the increase in fees could cause a shift in drivers obtaining licenses from rival authorities where costs are lower, which was acknowledged as a risk by WNC officers. One driver raised concerns that the price hikes could also encourage unlicensed or illegal driving, which “undermines the very purpose of regulation”.

Just seven respondents said they agreed with the new licence fees, commenting that higher charges could improve enforcement and may drive out “poor quality” drivers and vehicles.

Officers said that the fees set by the council were calculated based on recovering the specific costs of delivering the service and would also ensure “fairness” across the authority.

Councillor Peter Matten (Conservative, Daventry North East) said: “I have sympathy for the licence holders that have written in, but unfortunately everything goes up and I think it’s an excellent report and we do have to recover our costs and that’s what this is intended to do.”

The new fees were approved at a meeting of the taxi and general licensing committee on Tuesday April 14.

Can't see a huge rush to licence elsewhere simply because of the fee increases. Nor a huge upturn in unlicensed cars...

That's actually one of this news sites where you can change the photo width and resolution easily enough. So the second photo does show some faded road markings which can't really be seen in the first photo.

(Yes, I was bored )