Taxi price rise given green lightWednesday, 08 February 2012 23:33 A request by Basingstoke black cab drivers to increase fares by 60p per trip has been approved by borough council licensing bosses.
An application by the Basingstoke and Deane Hackney Carriage Federation to increase fares was heard by the licensing committee on Tuesday.
The price rise was green lighted in November last year, but put on hold following two formal objections from residents. The federation argued that costs of running black cabs have increased by up to £2,000 since the last fare rise in December 2010 due to an increase in petrol prices, VAT charges, and servicing.
At the meeting, Popley Councillor Jane Frankum raised concerns that the price change was unfair for people taking short journeys.
The 60p extra represents a 14.2 per cent hike for one-mile journeys, but a three per cent increase for a 10-mile trip.
Federation chairman Richard Ketteringham defended the rise, and said drivers needed to cover spiralling costs, and the hike reflected the fact that the majority of trips are under five miles.
Speaking to councillors, driver Peter Dainty said: “Our costs are astronomical. We know it is hard out there. What we are asking for is to meet our personal costs. We are not asking for huge amounts.”
Source; http://www.basingstokeobserver.co.uk/ne ... light-2347
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