Fare-hike bid as fears voiced for taxi sector

Private-hire and taxi fares would be second-most expensive in Scotland

Taxi and private-hire operators in Fife are pushing for a rise in fares which would make them the second-most expensive in Scotland, amid suggestions the sector is in a “perilous” state.

The proposed rise, expected to be rubber-stamped by the region’s regulation and licensing committee on Tuesday, would see the initial yardage reduced from 1,000 to 900 for stages one and two – effectively 24 hours a day.

The proposed changes would put the average two-mile journey during the day up by 10p to £6.70, while the nighttime rate would rise by 15p to £8.35 for a two-mile trip.

That would make Fife one of the most expensive regions in Scotland to hire a cab, with the average tariff one rate – between 6am and 10pm – across the UK sitting at £5.92. North of the border, only East Lothian’s two-mile average of £7 is higher.

Five taxi companies or associations provided written representations to Fife Council on the issue and all advocated a fare increase after charges did not change last year.

William Watson, on behalf of the Glenrothes Taxi Association, said doing nothing this year is “not a viable option”.

“Currently the taxi business in Glenrothes in particular is in a perilous state,” he said.

“Owing to the closure in the last year of Styx nightclub, the upcoming closure of Warout Stadium Social Club, the closing of several shops in the Kingdom Centre and Kitty’s nightclub in Kirkcaldy, it leaves very little trade during the day and certainly less after midnight to be sought.

“There has been a reduction in school contracts available as well as social work contracts. Then add in the running costs for maintenance, fuel, minimum wage and a further 10% rise in the cost of a hackney by the council as well as an insurance hike.

“Couple this with the law passed on card payments, whereby no extra charge other than the actual cost of the fare is allowed, and VAT included in the fare price, we now have death by a thousand cuts.”

In a letter to committee, Sam Green and Peter Meldrum from Magnum Taxis said operating taxis is not all about fuel costs, as wages accounted for around 70% of outgoings.

“This may not be the same for the single owner/driver businesses but for us and many fleet owners it’s the everincreasing motor insurance costs, motor maintenance costs, council licensing costs, but the biggest increase to our businesses are the staff wages,” the letter said.

The proposed changes, likely to come into effect in December, would mean the current flag fares of £3.20 between 6am and 10pm and £3.95 between 10pm and 6am will remain, but it will cost more due to the yardage change, with 20p added on to the fare for each additional 150 yards travelled.