Plans to hike taxi fares by 7.5% in Vale

GETTING a taxi in the Vale of Glamorgan could get more expensive, if plans to increase fares are approved this week.

An average fare rise of 7.45% is being proposed for all taxi journeys across the Vale of Glamorgan.

It would mean taxi fares for up to four people on a 10-mile journey, such as from Barry to the centre of Cardiff, would cost £22, up from £20.85, on a Monday to Saturday between 6am and 11pm.

That same journey, if it was made between 11pm to 6am every day or on a Sunday or bank holiday, would cost £26.75, an 11.9% increase from the previous tariff £23.90.

The proposed changes, which will also affect short-distance journeys, will be considered by the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet today.

Steve Thomas, chairman of the Vale of Glamorgan Taxi Association, which is supporting the changes, in a letter to the council said: “The average rise that we are proposing is 7% The last rise was 2011 that means we are requesting a rise of only 1% per year.

“I think you will agree this is not excessive, especially when you consider the rises in the cost of living, and the major rises in the running costs the drivers and operators now have to pay ie parts, fuel, insurance etc.”

All other charges, such the waiting time which is currently at £16 per hour, and for cleaning the interior of a vehicle, would remain the same.

Under the current fares, the Vale of Glamorgan is the 201st cheapest area for a two-mile taxi fare out of the 370 local authorities in England and Wales.

If the fares increase as proposed, it would mean the Vale would be 154th in the two-mile taxi fare league table.

A public consultation would be held on the plans if Vale of Glamorgan Council’s cabinet approves the plans.