Taxi Driver Online

Sevenoaks' taxi services set to rise well above inflation



PLANS to increase Sevenoaks taxi fares will go before councillors next week.

Proposals include keeping the existing £3.80 minimum fare but cutting its 1,287 metre threshold by 10 per cent to 1,158 metres.

The meter would then tick up 21p for every subsequent 152 metres – rather than the 160.9 metres the charge applies to currently.

In real terms it would mean an increase of about 20p on a one-mile journey – currently £4.20 – and 45p on a three mile trip.

In his report, the council’s chief officer for environmental and operational services Richard Wilson said the fare review had involved a consultation with 377 cabbies.

He said: “After receiving a request for an increase from a Hackney Carriage driver, all the Hackney Carriage drivers, licensed by this licensing authority were balloted on the option, in addition to an option of no change to the current fares.”

The vast majority did not respond but 14 were said to be in support of the idea.

But four drivers are not happy.

One said: “The timing for the increase is unfortunate – we currently have the lowest fuel prices since 2010 and our clients will not understand how a fare increase can be justified at this time.”

Other plans include increasing the existing 50p a minute waiting charge by 5p a minute and increasing the cost of carrying a pet by 30p. If agreed by the council’s licensing committee on Tuesday the changes will come into force in March.


Read more: http://www.sevenoakschronicle.co.uk/Sev ... z3QC6WSL6W

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