Taxi Driver Online

Fuel costs force taxi fare increase in Wellingborough


Passengers face an increase in taxi fares because of rising fuel bills.
Hackney carriage drivers in Wellingborough want to add 20p to the minimum fare and an extra 10p a mile thereafter.

The Wellingborough Hackney Carriage Association says the hike is justified considering the difficulties taxi drivers are facing, and says fares have not risen since 2005.

Hackney Carriage Association secretary Andy Clarke said: "The main reason we're asking for an increase is because of the price of fuel.

"Fuel has gone up astronomically and we are still on the same fares we were on three years ago.

"We haven't had a raise in three years and everything has gone up.

"Minicab firms can put their fares up 50p by just putting a notice in their vehicles – we have to make sure we get approval."

Wellingborough Council's community committee is set to consider the proposals for a rise in fares at its meeting today.

If approved, the minimum fare for anyone taking a Hackney cab in Wellingborough will be £2, up from £1.80.

After that fares increase by 10 per cent for a one-mile journey, 9.25 per cent for a two-mile journey and 8.8 per cent for a three-mile trip.

It will mean a three-mile journey will set passengers back £5.77, not the £5.30 it would have cost before.

Despite the rise it is still cheaper than many neighbouring areas.

A three-mile journey in Kettering costs £6.60 and in Northampton it costs £7.20.

Mr Clarke said: "Sometimes you are struggling to make any money. You can sit 40 minutes waiting for a job which only brings in £2.20.

"Garage bills are going up all the time and so is car tax."

He added that another reason why drivers are stretched is because of the growing number of taxis.

According to Mr Clarke, there are 55 permits for taxis in Wellingborough but just seven spaces at the main taxi rank.

Wellingborough Council's community committee has been advised to approve the changes.

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