Taxi Driver Online

Nothing much to see here, and can't be bothered with the number crunching

But it's one of those where fare rises are needed to get more drivers into the trade, apparently...

Does that mean existing drivers will be no better off even after the tariff rise?


Taxi fares go up to in Fareham

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/248617 ... o-fareham/

Taxi fares in Fareham are set to rise in a bid to recruit new drivers into the job, a move the council hopes will also keep the borough vibrant.

Councillor Ian Bastable said it is very important to keep Fareham vibrant and for people to know they have a taxi service locally.

It will now cost customers nearly 10 per cent more for a 5km trip as the initial charge and first 162 metres of a journey will rise from £3.00 to £3.20.

Passengers will then pay 20p for every 153 metres after that. Currently, it increases by 20p after every 170 metres.

The charge levied if a passenger soils the taxi has increased from £70 to £85 but all other charges like waiting time rates stay the same.

Executive member for health and public protection, Councillor Joanna Burton ) said some drivers are retiring but others are leaving the job because they cannot make a living.

Members at a November licensing and regulatory affairs committee meeting would have backed a bigger increase as there have been no increases since 2022.

She said: “It will cost passengers £9.40 to take a 5km journey, an increase from £8.60. And Fareham is still cheaper than Gosport”

The tariff changes came about after Fareham Taxi and Private Hire Association approached the council’s licensing team to ask for an increase. The association was alarmed by the low level of new applicants applying to be taxi drivers.

The officer’s report said it wants to incentivise new applicants for hackney carriage driver and vehicle licenses and reduce the risk of drivers leaving the trade.

Fareham Borough Council’s executive approved the changes in taxi fares on Monday, January 13. The council agreed it wants to ensure a taxi service in Fareham for the elderly and vulnerable.

Hackney carriages can be hailed in the street and work from taxi ranks across the borough. The drivers include a £1 charge to customers picking up from the railway station to cover the permit they need. All other taxi ranks in the town are free.

There are currently 115 hackney carriage vehicles licensed in the borough, 93 licensed hackney carriage drivers and 49 dual (hackney carriage and private hire) drivers.

I wonder why the two codes in Fareham are represented by a joint trade body? After all, according to the DfT and recent discussion here, economically they're completely separate

Mixed fleets, with the PHVs charging identical or similar fares to the HCs, perchance?

And looks like the council issues HC-only, PH-only and dual badges

Why would a council issue both HC-only and dual badges?

Quite often trade reps and councillors will come up with a justification to raise fares above inflation which to us makes no sense. However, the target for that justification is the general public.

I would just like an honest justification to be used, such as 'Drivers need to earn a proper living'.

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IDFIMH