Taxi drivers in Worcester secure inflation-busting fare rise deal TAXI fares are on the rise in Worcester after cabbies secured a deal on inflation-busting hikes.
Worcester City Council has voted to allow cabbies to increase the charges by "10p per mile" from January.
The decision, made by the city's licensing and environmental health committee, will see the 'flag down' fare rise 10p to £3.60, with the charges for "each subsequent mile" going up by 10p.
Although the percentage rise will vary, it means typical one-mile journeys will increase 2.4 per cent to £4.20 while two miles will cost £5.90, a 3.5 per cent rise.
It was voted through by councillors after they rejected a bid to put some journeys up by 20p per mile, saying it was too much.
Soiling charges for people who spoil the insides of cabs will surge by £25, costing culprits £75.
Councillor Richard Udall, speaking during the meeting, said: "I am relatively sympathetic to the drivers but my concern is for the consumer.
"They are finding life tough, they have faced 10 years of austerity which has ground them down, many people haven't had a pay rise since 2008.
"We've even had a period of negative inflation."
He cited concerns over people in his area struggling to get by, including one disabled woman in Dines Green who had to spend “£60 a week” getting to Worcestershire Royal Hospital three times a week for hospital treatment and another single mum who spent £50 because her child spent time in hospital and she had to visit five days in a row.
During the debate Councillor Lucy Hodgson said she had concerns over the driver's bid for 20p per mile hikes on some tariffs, telling fellow councillors she felt it went too far.
“As a resident and a councillor in a ward on the edge of the city I really do have concerns over the 20p charge – a lot of buses have gone but people still need to get into the city to work, to shop,” she said.
"It's a step too far, some people could become really isolated. I am really struggling with it.
"For some people a taxi is not a luxury, it's a necessity."
The drivers wanted to start the rises from December 1, but Councillor Knight called for a month's delay, which was accepted.
The committee then voted to block the 20p per mile hike and peg it to 10p.
During the debate Councillor Mike Johnson suggested the 10p per mile rise be limited to the "first three miles" of a journey, saying it would "penalise" people who need to travel longer distances.
But that bid was rejected, despite support from Councillor Knight, as the rest of the committee felt it was too complicated.
Rob Day, from Worcester Taxi Drivers Association, turned up to speak for the cabbies.
He said the last rise was two-and-a-half years ago and that fuel prices and insurance costs were harming the trade.
“We understand it’s never a good time to ask for an increase,” he said.
“But it has been two-and-a-half years since the last one.
"Most of the journeys that are outside Worcester are done by a fixed price anyway, the vast majority of customers will not be affected.”
In August the UK inflation rate was at just 0.6 per cent.
source:
http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/147 ... rise_deal/
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