Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Hailing a taxi cost could be set to rise
Hailing a taxi in Monklands could soon cost more if fare price increases are given the go-ahead.
North Lanarkshire Council has been involved in consultations with members of the trade and are considering hiking the price of the initial fare by distance tariff.
The changes would see an increase in fare for the first 880 metres after getting into the cab, as well as reducing the distance travelled in the subsequent incremental travel tariff.
The proposals would mean that a fourmile taxi journey would rise from around £8.40 to approximately £9.30, and a six-mile journey would increase to around £13.10 from approximately £11.80.
Members of the North Lanarkshire Joint Taxi Trade Association have recently been in discussions with the council relating to the price increases.
They have cited the rising costs of fuel and maintaining vehicles, reducing income as a result of the Covid pandemic.
A North Lanarkshire Council spokesman told the Advertiser: “A request for an increase in taxi fares has been received from the joint taxi trade association.
“The reasons given are; a substantial increase in fuel costs; increased costs of replacing and maintaining vehicles; and the impact of Covid on a significantly reduced income for operators.
“This will be considered at a meeting of the finance and resources committee.”
The last review of taxi fares in the local authority area was held back in October 2019 – pre-pandemic – and resulted in no new changes.
The fresh proposals will mean an increase of 20p as soon as you step into a cab, meaning the tariff for the initial distance not exceeding 880 yards of £2.40 would rise to £2.60.
In addition, a change is proposed to the distances travelled over and above the initial 880 yards.
Currently the fare rises by 10 for each additional 103 yards, which are part thereof. The new proposal intends to slash that distance by around 10 per cent to 92 yards.
Waiting time charges and other extra charges such as those for hires between midnight and 5am would remain unchanged.
If the proposals are given the green light then they will cover the South, Central and North licensing areas.
As required by the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982, the local authority has given notice of the changes that are proposed to the current fares structure.
Anyone who wishes to lodge representations with regard to the proposals can do so by emailing Licensingenquiries@ northlan.gov.uk or by writing to Head of Legal and Democratic Solutions, North Lanarkshire Council, Civic Centre, Windmillhill Street, Motherwell, ML1 1AB.
Submissions should arrive no later than February 19.