Plans to raise taxi fares in Barrow have taken another step forward.
A proposed rise in hackney fares was given approval by the borough council’s licensing regulatory committee on Thursday.
The plans came about after an urgent review of fares was requested by trade representatives at a taxi liaison meeting in June, due to the rise in fuel costs.
A private-hire driver, who asked to remain anonymous, said that the proposed change to taxi fares would mean hackney carriages – which can be flagged down in the street – would cost more than private-hire vehicles.
“I think there should always be a difference,” he said.
“They [hackney drivers] are there waiting for you and they work unsociable hours.”
A period of public consultation on the proposals is now to take place.
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.
