Cabbies told to justify price hike

Taxi firms set out plan for flat rate 50p increase

Taxi drivers and operators seeking higher fares have been asked by councillors to justify the increase.

While no mileage rate increase was proposed, a flat rate increase of 50p was suggested.

At a meeting yesterday (Tuesday) Stirling Council’s planning and regulation panel deferred a decision on changes and asked for more information.

Council officials conducted a review of scales and charges for taxi fares earlier this year, consulting taxi drivers and operators.

Seven operators responded in writing, only one of whom felt no increase was needed. Three asked for a third tariff and three asked for an increase. The last increase was in 2014. A forum of the local taxi and private hire industry favoured an increase in the flag charge by 50p from £2.50 for the first half-mile on tariff one and from £3 to £3.50 on tariff two.

The changes would mean a onemile journey on tariff one would increase to £3.90 from £3.40 and the same journey on tariff two would increase to £4.63 from £4.13. Longer journeys would only change by 50p.

A third tariff was ruled out at the forum as being too confusing for customers.

It was proposed tariff two be applied on Sundays and bank holidays. This currently applies to hires between 11pm and 7am throughout the year and over Christmas and New year.

Council officials told the panel: “The reason given for this proposal is that it would help encourage drivers to work during these times as well as cover rising costs without affecting their everyday customers.”

Stirling’s proposed charge for a two-mile journey on tariff one would be £5.70 - cheaper than Clackmannanshire at £5.80 but £1 more expensive than Falkirk and third-highest of a table of 14 local authorities.

Councillor Maureen Bennison said she had concerns about the impact a tariff change would have on the Sunday daytime economy.

Asked by acting chair Chris Kane if there was a noticeable shortage of Sunday cover, officials said there was not but that the trade wanted a higher tariff on Sundays.

Councillor Kane said: “An increase in the tariff on Sunday would seem difficult to justify. There is no evidence provided here that there is a shortage. It is just anecdotal from the trade. We need evidence of actual, not perceived, problems.”

Councillor Bryan Flannagan said: “What concerns me is that the only argument provided is rising costs and I’m slightly concerned there’s no justification as to what these rising costs are. Three of the largest and most expensive areas in Scotland have lower fares than we do.”

Councillor Evelyn Tweed raised concerns about the rural areas.

Officials were asked to seek more information and report back to the panel.

Three of the most expensive areas in Scotland have lower fares than we do