Taxi fares set to go up

‘Small increase’ needed to meet rising costs of drivers

The announcement follows a meeting of the taxi liaison committee — involving the city council and unions — which was held i n the city yesterday.

Among the subjects discussed were electric vehicles and fare costs.

Speaking to the Tele after the meeting, Alan Smith, new leader of the taxi drivers’ branch of the GMB, said no final decision on fares had been made.

However, he said there was a general agreement that a “small” fares increase was needed to keep up with rising costs.

Mr Smith said: “We are looking at an increase of 8p on the standard call -out charge. This will take it up from £3.02 to £3.10.

“We would ask the public to be understanding in this. This small increase will be necessary to meet rising costs faced by taxi drivers.”

Mr Smith said the city council would have the final say about whether fares rise.

A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “Discussions between the council and the taxi trade will continue in the new year.”

Meanwhile, Mr Smith said the future of electric taxis in Dundee was also discussed.

He added: “Electric taxis are definitely the future and this is something I’d welcome.

“It was also generally welcomed by those attending the meeting.

“It’s still not possible to say when all taxis in the city will be electric but I think that day is coming.

“It makes economic sense for taxi drivers and to me it’s a no-brainer.”

He said that a taxi driver could lease a hybrid car for £177 a week, which compared favourably with the cost of keeping a traditional taxi on the road.

He said: “When you consider fuel costs, road tax and insurance, as well as engine maintenance, the costs of running an electric car for drivers will be much more economically viable.”

Mr Smith said the general feeling of taxi drivers who attended the meeting was that a fleet of electric vehicles was something they would welcome.

He added: “Major details have still to be worked out about the type of cars that will work best.”

In August, it was suggested that 10% of all of Dundee’s cabs would be electric by the end of the year.

Lynne Short, city development convener, has said that businesses and everyday car users could benefit from switching to electric vehicles.

TAXI fares in Dundee could be set to rise, the Tele can reveal today.

Alan Smith, of GMB, said there was a general agreement that there will be a “small” fares increase for taxis.