Taxi Driver Online

Herald Express (Torquay)

November 20, 2006 Monday

HEADLINE: Taxi fares set to rise

The cost of a South Hams taxi ride is going up by more than seven per cent to help keep cabbies on the road. The district's licensing bosses have agreed to slap an extra 21p on the cost of a one-mile journey and 22p on the cost of a two-mile trip.

A report to the South Hams licensing committee explained that the increase in a one-mile trip worked out at a 7.5 per cent rise while the two-mile journey was a five per cent increase.

It added: "These increases are higher than inflation but considered reasonable when balanced against the increases in running and maintaining a vehicle."

It still leaves the South Hams with one of the lowest tax tariffs in Devon and Cornwall. The report went on: "The fluctuation in fuel prices and the increase in insurance premiums are outside the control of this council, but if we fail to keep the tariffs under review we will ultimately lose taxi drivers to other occupations.

"In a rural area where buses are scarce this will have a detrimental effect on residents and visitors to the area." But the report also added: "A balance, however, needs to be drawn to keep the tariffs reasonable for the travelling pubic."

The increase, which has yet to be advertised for the general public, means that a one-mile journey will now be £2.99 while a two-mile journey will stand at £4.53. The two-mile trip compares to taxi charges in neighbouring Torbay which was £4.82 back in August last year, Plymouth's £4.60 in March this year and Teignbridge's £4.70 in July this year.
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