A proposed increase in hackney carriage fares in Barrow is to be scrutinised by the borough council after an urgent review was asked for by cabbies.
Trade representatives asked for the review at a taxi liaison meeting in June, council documents say, mainly owing to rising fuel costs.
Hackney carriage fares were last reviewed in 2021 and an increase in fares – the first since 2012 – came into effect in February 2022.
A report from Steph Cordon, the borough council’s director of people and place, says a period of consultation followed June’s liaison meeting, with all hackney carriage drivers and vehicle proprietors licensed with the council invited to give comment.
Ms Cordon says that 57 responses were received and that 84 per cent of those responding were in favour of an increase.
She says that a number of different cost areas were reviewed individually in calculating the change in fares, including fuel, vehicle maintenance and tax and insurance.
The new fares would see the midnight to 7am period – during which higher charges apply – moved to cover the hours between 11pm and 7am.
The changes would see the maximum charge for half a mile from 7am to 11pm rise from £2.80 to £3.50.
The charge over the same distance between 11pm and 7am would rise from £4.20 to £5.20. Each subsequent one-tenth of a mile ‘or uncompleted part’ would cost 40p instead of 30p.
The maximum charge for half a mile at bank holidays and on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve would rise from £5.60 to £6.90. Each subsequent one-tenth of a mile or uncompleted part would cost 50p instead of 40p. The ‘waiting time’ charge on these days, however, would be lowered from 40p per 30 seconds to 20p per 30 seconds.
An extra charge of 20p for every person above two people has been reinstated.
A separate tariff for vehicles that carry five or more passengers is proposed, although the council currently only licenses four vehicles of this size.
For larger vehicles, the maximum charge for half a mile from 7am to 11pm would be £5.20. Each subsequent one-tenth of a mile or uncompleted part would cost 40p. The waiting time cost for each 30 seconds would be 20p.
The maximum charge for half a mile between the hours of 11pm and 7am would be £6.90. Each subsequent one-tenth of a mile or uncompleted part would cost 50p. The waiting time cost for each 30 seconds would be 20p.
The maximum charge for half a mile at bank holidays and on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve would be £8.60. Each subsequent one-tenth of a mile or uncompleted part would cost 60p. The waiting time cost for each 30 seconds would be 30p.
The proposals are to be looked at by the council’s licensing regulatory committee next Thursday.
