Taxi in Cardiff fares to rise under plans going before city's ruling body The Dragon Taxis application would see fares rise by 30p, not a much higher rise as proposed by taxi authority
Cardiff council received 241 complaints against taxi drivers last year
Getting a taxi in Cardiff looks set to get more expensive.
Cardiff council’s ruling body is being asked to approve a 30p increase in the starting fare for cabs.
The application, by Dragon Taxis, would increase the charge for the first 103 yards from 30p to £2.30 but to keep all other fares the same.
A 4.1% increase in the average fare
That proposal would increase the cost of an average three mile journey by 4.1% and by 3.7% at night.
It would take the cost of the average daytime trip from £7.20 to £7.50.
Director of Dragon, Ryan Owen has said: “I believe that the fare increase requested is a modest one which would be wholly acceptable to both drivers and customers alike.
"Because we only want to adjust the initial charge, journeys which are over longer distance do not become extortionate.“I feel the increase would be a good one to implement."
Mr Owen continued: “It is a reasonable request and would not dramatically impact the taxi market in Cardiff.
“Customers would continue using the service but drivers would receive the far overdue increase that they deserve.
“The rates have not been increased for many years now and inflation does start to bite into the driver’s income as we go on.”
CCHA Association bidA second application by the Cardiff Hackney Carriage Association (CHCA) has not been recommended for approval.
The CHCA application would see Cardiff’s rates increased to equal those currently in operation in Bristol.
The CHCA application would see six different tariffs put in place.
It also includes charges for things not currently included in Cardiff such as charges for animals, rucksacks, prams and journeys starting at the train station.
It would see prices rise from £7.20 to £7.83 for the average daytime, weekday trip and from £8.20 to £9.80 at night.
The report to cabinet reads: “The CHCA application is a considerable increase in the rate of fares, especially on weekends and at night.
“The Licensing section already receives a significant number of complaints about overcharging, inconsistency of charges and this proposal, if accepted, could exacerbate that position,” it adds.
The report says cabinet members should consider that both diesel and petrol have decreased in cost from March 2011 and licences fees have also fallen but that vehicle excise duty has risen.
Fees have risen by 0.5% since 2011It says fees have risen by 0.5% since 2011 and driver costs by 3.5% since the time of the last price rise.
The report also lists a comparison for two mile journeys in a number of other cities.
It says Cardiff is currently higher than Liverpool, Swansea and Newport but lower than Manchester, Newcastle, Swindon, Birmingham, Bath and London.
The average cost for two miles is £7.20 in London. Under the CHCA proposal it would be £6.02 but the Dragon proposal would see it rise to £5.70.
If cabinet agree to vary the tariff, the variations would need to be be advertised for 14 days for any objections to be made.
Cabinet will meet on Thursday .
source:
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local ... er-9563590
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