Taxi Driver Online

Nothing particularly interesting here as regards the tariff structures and rises but, as I read this, the consultation process started one year ago, and the rise would only take effect from 1 April, thus the process would take about fourteen months from start to finish

Only other interesting thing is that it seems that festive fares would be extended to every weekend in December, which would be very unusual, if not unique

Or maybe the festive fares 'could be set to' apply in every weekend in December


Aberdeenshire Council is considering increasing taxi fares in the region by 10 per cent

https://www.aberdeenlive.news/news/aber ... xi-8111763

Aberdeenshire Council is considering increasing taxi fares by 10 per cent which would see fares jump up from £2.70 for the first 880 yards of a standard journey to £3

Aberdeenshire Council is considering increasing taxi fares in the region by 10 per cent.

Customers are currently charged £2.70 for the first 880 yards of a standard journey, but if the 10 per cent increase is approved that would jump to £3.

While the start of trips carried out between 10pm and 6am could rocket from £3.70 to £4.30.

And those looking to take a taxi over the festive season could see initial charges rise from £4 to £4.60. Members of the local authority’s licensing sub-committee will consider the proposal next Friday.

The sub-committee agreed to begin a review of the north east’s fares in February last year. Consultations were then held with trade members to get their thoughts on the proposals.

It was then decided that a 10 per cent rise be implemented along with an increase in days where festive rates are in place – including all weekends in December.

However, taxi firms gave mixed reactions to the changes.

Following the public consultation, one unnamed operator said the proposed rates were “inadequate” and wouldn’t cover increasing fuel costs, insurance and staff pay.

While another branded the fare increase as an “unnecessary change” and said the surcharge rise to £4.30 was “excessive”.

Two further firms wrote to the council stating there was a need for the increase to be put in place “as soon as possible”.

If the 10 per cent increase is approved, taxi firms will be able to appeal to the Traffic Commissioner.

Should no appeals be submitted, cab companies will be asked to change their meters ahead of the implementation date.

If councillors back the change, the new fares are expected to come into force on April 1.

The 'surcharge' is in fact presumably the proposed T2 flagfall

Disgraceful.

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IDFIMH

Aberdeenshire taxi fares will increase by 10% after calls to raise them even higher

Taxi fares across Aberdeenshire are to rise by 10% despite calls they should be increased further to help drivers facing increasing costs.

Members of the council’s licensing sub-committee met recently to discuss the proposed changes. Now, the first 880 yards of a standard journey will start at £3, up from the current £2.70. Late night trips between 10pm and 6am will jump from £3.70 to £4.30.

Festive fares will also leap from £4 to £4.60 and will be in force throughout all weekends in December.

However, Stewart Wight, chairman of the Aberdeenshire Taxi and Private Hire Association (ATAPHA) and Safedrive Taxis Ltd, suggested the proposed increase wasn’t enough.

He told committee members that a 20% rise would be acceptable due to “huge increases in fuel, insurance, cost of vehicles, operating vehicles and wages”.

"Everything is going up by a far greater percentage than the percentage on the fares themselves,” he added. Mr Wight also said low fare charges were responsible for the drop in taxis currently on the road across Aberdeenshire.

He said cab numbers were down by 30% in some parts because “people weren’t making a living out of it – even now they are still struggling”.

“I wouldn’t for the life of me want to work as a driver because they’re having to knock their pans out just to make a decent living,” he expressed. The minimum wage goes up in April, there will be a lot of people working off ranks in Aberdeenshire who aren’t even making that.”

But he noted that one taxi operator expressed concern about the proposed increase in festive rates. The worried firm was concerned that older members of the public taking a taxi to go shopping at the weekends would be hit by the festive fare hike.

However, ATAPHA members backed the 10% rise, despite saying it was a “small increase” compared to the costs associated with Taxi and private hire operation.

Mid-Formartine councillor Jenny Nicol supported the fare increase, saying it was “much needed” for the trade and would help to relieve pressure on drivers.

While Inverurie and District councillor Marion Ewenson described the 10% rise as “reasonable”.

She added: “I appreciate Mr Wight said 20% but we still want people to be able to afford to actually use taxis. They could price themselves out of the market and I think the higher the price goes, the more openings there are for unlicensed, informal arrangements being made.”

The new fares will come into force on April 1.

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IDFIMH

You can't put fares up 20% in one go, that is utter stupidity, even if it is justified.

Little and often is the way forward, never huge and seldom.

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IDFIMH