The headline was so uninteresting I almost didn't read it, but it's
I mean, what will the average reader of the Slough Observer think of this?
For a start, you'd think they wouldn't use a Google photo of HCs from another council - Windsor & Maidenhead - to illustrate the piece
Taxi fares in Slough could increase by the end of 2025
https://www.sloughobserver.co.uk/news/2 ... -end-2025/
Image: Google/Slough Observer
Standard taxi fares in Slough are set to increase later this year.
In a committee meeting held by the Borough Council on Wednesday, July 2, councillors discussed at length whether the price of public transportation, as well as private hire, should rise.
This comes after members from the Slough Taxi Federation informed the council of their wish to slightly alter the prices came at their request in February of this year.
If approved, the fares across Slough and its surrounding areas will be increased by 20p.
What the current prices are at the moment (Image: Slough Borough Council/Slough Observer)
A representative from the STF (Slough Taxi Federation) said: “After two years, we are requesting a small fare rise which we feel is needed, because the cost of living has gone up, vehicle prices have gone up, and the licensing fees have increased slightly.
“To keep up with the high standard the council expects, we have to look after the cars and the drivers, as the executive cars are expensive to buy and maintain.
“We believe a slight rise, such as the pull-off charge, would increase by 20p.
“So the longer journeys would remain the same sort of fare.
“We believe that after two years, a slight increase should be given.”
The previous increase occurred in the spring of 2022, and if approved, the initial distance of 250 yards, time of 100 seconds, or a combination of both, would increase from £3.40 to £6.
The proposed prices that were put forward (Image: Slough Borough Council/Slough Observer)
The discussion lasted for an hour and 10 minutes, and saw each of the councillors discuss at length whether the ‘small increase’ should be justified.
Many argued that it would, but no decision could be made on the day.
In the official agenda, it read: “Local authorities have a statutory power to set the maximum fares that licensed hackney carriages (taxis) can charge for a journey.
“Under section 65 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (“the 1976 Act”), local authorities have the power to fix the rates or fares within the district as well for time as distance, and all other charges in connection with the hire of a vehicle or with the arrangements for the hire of a vehicle.
The final draft that was put forward (Image: Slough Borough Council/Slough Observer)
“This is to be aid in respect of the hire of hackney carriages by means of a table (hereafter in this section referred to as a “table of fares”) made or varied under the provisions of this section.”
Following the meeting earlier this month, it was agreed that information about the potential changes should be made public knowledge for a consultation to take place.
It has also confirmed that Trading Standards will be informed if the changes were to come to fruition.
In 2022, the prices increased due to the fuel crisis that impacted numerous areas of the UK.
so had a look for the official papers (always a potentially dangerous rabitt hole, but actually found them quite quickly