An increase in the cost of hailing a hackney taxi in Barrow could come into force before Christmas.
The proposed rise in prices is set to be discussed by Barrow Borough Council’s licensing regulatory committee on Thursday.
While it is only hackney fare costs proposed to rise, a pre-meeting report authored by senior licensing officer Katherine Benson said that private-hire companies tend to increase their fares in line with hackney prices.
One objection to the plans was received during a period of public consultation. It said: “Private-hire taxis have told me they’re waiting for the hackney increase so they will put up their fares the same. I’m often late for work, I’m on minimum wage and will find the increase hard.”
The new fares would see the midnight to 7am period – during which higher charges apply – moved to cover the hours between 11pm and 7am.
An extra charge of 20p for every person above two people would be reinstated and a separate tariff for vehicles that carry five or more passengers is proposed.
Between 11pm to 7am, the changes would see the maximum charge for half a mile 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 additional 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.
For larger vehicles, the maximum charge for half a mile from 7am to 11pm would be £5.20. Each extra 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 additional 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.
Various options are available to the committee on Thursday. Members can choose to modify or agree to the proposed fares and then can decide to agree a date on which the fares will come into force.
Currently, the proposed date for fares to increase is Monday, November 21.
