Hackney cab fares to rise for first time in 5 years by 16%
TAXI fares for Hackney cabs in Derby are going up for the first time in five years despite councillors raising concerns the increase is “too big”.
Councillors gave the go-ahead for Hackney fares to shoot up by 16 % at a Derby City Council licensing meeting on Thursday night.
The last time Hackney cab fares were increased in Derby was 2017. Since then tariffs have stood frozen. But it is understood that due to inflation and rising fuel prices the time has now come to increase the rates again.
The increase relates to Hackney cabs in Derby only and not private hire vehicles which can authorise their own rates without council control.
The Conservative-led council received a proposal to increase the fares from the Derby Area Taxi Operators Association.
Hackney fares are made up of a hiring charge and a mileage rate and the rate is controlled by Derby City Council. The increase will see a two-mile journey on a standard tariff rise from £6.20 to £7.20.
Councillors of both Labour and Liberal Democrats supported the changes and said it was right for customers to foot the extra costs.
Liberal Democrat councillor Ajit Atwal said: “Everything has gone up in price and the customer has to foot the bill. We’ve not had anything in five years – it’s only right for drivers to earn a living.
“We all know its difficult times for everybody but if they are paying more for fuel prices, unfortunately the customer has to foot the bill. That’s the way it works.” Labour councillor Nadine Peatfield said: “It’s been five years since they have increased any fares at all and while that seems like a large increase but if we spread that over five years then it’s going to be fairly reasonable especially with the rate of inflation going up right now.” But not everyone was supportive of the recommendation to approve the increase.
Conservative councillor Harvey Jennings said he felt uncomfortable approving the 16% rise and called for it to be lowered.
He said: “Personally I feel uncomfortable because my general feeling is that for users of taxis this may disproportionately affect them.
“Have OAPs wanting to go medical appointments received a recent 16% increase in their wealth? Have parents who have no choice but to take their children to school by taxi have they received a 16% increase?
“I just think we need to be careful. 16% for me is too much too soon.”
Councillor Jennings then proposed for the increase to be cut to 10% but this did not get enough support from the whole licensing committee to be voted through.
Councillor Alison Holmes said: “I’ve heard a lot about taxi drivers and the price of fuel but I’ve not heard anything about the people that’s got to pay for the increase. Everybody’s struggling and this increase is just too big. It doesn’t sit right with me at all.
But Liberal Democrat Derby Group leader Ruth Skelton added: “Just to point out when most people – for example take their kids to school in a taxi or go to medical appointments – the normal thing they actually do is use private hire vehicles they use, not Hackney carriages.”