12 Feb 2008
Taxi fares in Brighton and Hove to go up by 10 percent
Taxi fares are to rise by up to 10 per cent to cover the rocketing costs of
petrol.
Brighton and Hove City Council's licensing committee looks set to agree to
the price increase at a meeting on Thursday.
The charge for getting in the taxi will rise from £2.30 to £2.40, although
this will now cover the first 705 yards, up from 588 yards.
Each mile afterwards will cost £2, up 20p.
This means that some of the shortest journeys will actually fall in price
although the majority will rise by between three and 10.4 per cent.
It has also emerged that CCTV cameras will be installed in all cars in the
next three to five years.
Andrew Cheesman, of City Cabs, wrote to the council on behalf of the taxi trade.
He said: ìThe need for the increase in the mileage rate, from £1.80 to
£2.00, is completely justified.
"As mentioned above that rate has not changed for over six years.
"The calculations for the fare formula come out at just over £2.00 a mile,
so we are within the rate that the council's own formula allows.
"It's also worth mentioning that the formula only allows for taxi drivers to
earn the average regional wage.
"So even with the £2.00 a mile rate under no circumstances could anyone
accuse the trade of profiteering.
"Our fuel costs alone have increased from 76.2p per litre in November
2001, to the current average of £1.07 per litre. An increase of over 40 percent.
"On average that means our proposals are for an increase of 5.8 per cent.
In our view, and in light of the high standard of vehicles licensed by the
City Council, we believe that s fully justified."
Dee Simson, chairman of the council's licensing committee, said: "The
proposed increase in taxi fares is the first rise for two years.
"It has been requested by the taxi trade and reflects an increase in their
vehicle running costs over that time, particularly fuel costs which have
risen significantly.
"While the proposal is to increase the initial charge for each journey from
£2.30 to £2.40, this charge will now cover a greater distance or time.
"The aim of this is to reduce the impact on people who rely on taxis for
everyday short journeys, for example to the doctors, dentists, or local shops.
"Members of the licensing committee will be recommended to agree to
advertise the proposed fare increases, when they meet on February 14.
"People will have an opportunity to comment on the new price structure
when the fares are advertised."
The taxi trade also wants to increase the New Year's Eve tariff as it is
currently cheaper than a normal Saturday night rate.
The fare will be doubled from 10pm to 5.00am to encourage more taxis to work.
And it is proposed to add a 50 per cent surcharge to the cost of travelling
in cars with five or more passengers to encourage the introduction of
more wheelchair-friendly vehicles.
If agreed, the fares will go out to consultation and will be in force by the summer.
Distance/ Day current cost/ Day cost after change/ Percentage change
1372yds £3.1 £3 -3.2 2 Miles £5.1 £5.4 5.9 20 Miles £37.5 £41.4 10.4
Source: The Argus
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