LOCAL taxi operators are paying the price for a review in fares and are warning the increase will have to be passed on to their customers.
Mitchell Murray of the Forfar and Kirrie Taxi Operators' Association contacted the Dispatch and Herald last week to highlight the taxi fare increase which is now being implemented by drivers.
This has resulted in a 20 pence increase in a fare in the town during the day, and a 30 pence increase at night.
Operators have had no option but to increase their fares as new tariffs have had to be put into their meters.
Mr Murray explained: "Every taxi and private hire vehicle in Angus will have to get their taxi meter changed and tested at a cost of approximately £71 minimum a car.
"There are approximately 100 operators in Angus, many of whom will have two, four or 10 vehicles. It's Angus Council which benefits from this changeover."
He explained the taxi operators pay the council £45 a car to have their updated meters checked by Tayside Police - a process which takes "about five minutes".
New tariff
Dealers charge a minimum of £26 to inject the current meters with the new tariff.
He continued: "If there are two hundred taxis and private hire vehicles the council will make a staggering £9,000, maybe more.
"Every year the charges made by the council to have the meters checked go up by a certain percentage, but we can't adjust our fares by that percentage. We just have to accept the charges."
When contacted about the changes to charges a spokesperson for Angus Council said: "Angus Council is required to review fares for the hire of taxis and for all other charges in connection with the hire of taxis every eighteen months. The last review was implemented on February 3, 2009 when fares were maintained at the level put in place in December 2007.
"This year's review was initiated on March 3, 2010, when all taxi operators licensed in Angus were consulted in writing. Three proposals were received, including a proposal from the Forfar and Kirriemuir Taxi Operators' Association.
"In April, the Civic Licensing committee agreed to approve the proposal from Forfar and Kirriemuir Taxi Operators' Association and instructed the advertising of the new fare structure. The revised structure was due to come into force in August, and any recommended increase represents the maximum fare chargeable by the taxi drivers and is not to be regarded as a compulsory fare.
"When new fare structures are implemented, there is a requirement for taxi meters to be re-configured to take into account the new fares. In addition, the re-configured meters require to be checked and inspected to ensure that they are accurate. This function is performed by Tayside Police on behalf of the council, and involves ensuring that the meters are accurate by reference to a measured mile. This process commenced on August 30 and will conclude on September 9.
"The council charges £45 for testing meters, a rise of £3 on the rate charged in 2007. This fee covers the costs of the test itself, arranging for the test, the costs of reviewing taxi fares including advertising and consultation costs and dealing with enquiries that arise as a result of the review and implementation process.
"It is understood that there would be additional charges to taxi operators in respect of the meter manufacturer having to re-configure the meter prior to the meter test and carrying out any adjustments that require to be undertaken after the test itself. The council is not aware of the extent and nature of these costs.
"The council charge for the meter test is reviewed annually along with all other fees charged by the council. This year the council increased its fees for Civic Government and Miscellaneous licences by 2.5% from April 1, 2010."
http://www.kirriemuirherald.co.uk/news/ ... 6524720.jp
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