Taxi fares could rise by 20% in plan to deal with rising costs

TAXI fares in Glasgow could rise by 20% if an independent recommendation on tariffs is approved.

Councillors are being asked to decide whether to agree on an increase of 19.36%.

The recommendations from Dr James Cooper, of Taxi Research Partners, would see changes that, in total, would be a rise of almost 20%.

The increase is needed, according to the report. This is to address the current expenses affecting the taxi trade including vehicle, fuel and general costs.

The rise would see the initial ‘ flag’ fare increase from £ 3.40 to £ 4.

The incremental charges for distance and time would also change with the fare going up by more for a shorter distance travelled.

The increment – how much the meter jumps by – would go up from 20p to 30p at a time and the distance travelled before the fare increases would reduce from 898 yards to 886 yards.

The time before the meter changes would reduce from two minutes 51 seconds to two minutes 46 seconds.

The additional charge for hires after 11pm and before 6am would increase from £ 1.20 to £ 1.40. It means that after 11pm it would cost more than £ 5 to flag a taxi before any distance is travelled. Representatives of the taxi trade are split on the increase.

Glasgow Taxis, which represents drivers in the city, has told the council the rise of almost 20% is “excessive”, while Unite, the Union Glasgow cab section, is supportive.

A report stated: “Unite the Union Glasgow cab section overall agreed with the 19.36% increase, however was of the view that the nighttime flag fall was too high at £ 5.40 and would be better incorporated into yardage.”

A survey of 265 taxi owners and drivers in the city found just more than half thought the previous model was not suitable.

Dr Cooper said in his report: “A total of 52% of responses suggested that the previously applied model was no longer appropriate to use, or posed significant problems that may harm the Glasgow industry.”

He added: “The most frequently occurring comments relate to the significant increases in the cost of operating and the view that changes in meter rates had not kept up with actual changes felt by the operator.

“Other views related to the model included the view that it was now outdated, the view that fuel prices had risen disproportionately and were not captured; and the view that a cost- of- living crisis, being experienced at the time of writing, had not been fully recognised.”

The report noted a rise in fuel costs of 51%, the Low Emission Zone has added costs to taxis and repairs have increased by 21% and insurance by 17%.

Parts, other fees and radio dues have also increased, but by less than 10%.