Maximum taxi fares to remain unchanged

Maximum taxi fares in Argyll and Bute are set to remain the same after councillors agreed to make no changes.

Taxi operators across the area were consulted as part of the council’s taxi fare scale review, with a new structure required to be implemented by late October.

The majority of operators who responded supported no increase to fares, although one councillor remarked the consultation had a “very poor” response.

The current maximum starting tariffs are £3.45 between 7am and 10pm, £4.14 between 10pm and 7am, and £4.83 on public holidays, with increases of 23p every 176 yards, 150 yards and 125 yards respectively.

Consideration was given at a meeting of the council’s planning, protective services and licensing committee on Wednesday June 21. A report by executive director

Douglas Hendry said: “On April 20, a letter was issued to all taxi operators requesting their views on taxi fares by May 29. A questionnaire was issued at the same time to try and engage with taxi operators on how the licensing section is performing. Members also requested at their meeting on April 19 that the consultation be opened up to members of the public to seek their views on taxi fares. Only one member of the public replied supporting no increase as the existing fares are unaffordable as they are.”

The vast majority of responses came from Lorn, where six operators out of nine who answered said they supported no increase. Across the remainder of Argyll and Bute, only one private hire operator in Mid Argyll, and two operators on Bute, supported any increase.

Mid Argyll councillor Jan Brown said: “I feel, as it was a very poor response, I would be happy to leave the fares as they are. Most people who did respond wanted fares left as they were any way.”

Dunoon councillor Audrey Forrest added: “I think, given the current situation people find themselves in financially, it would be a good idea to keep prices as they are.

“A lot of people rely on taxis for shopping and other activities, so it would be better to leave them as they stand.”

Isle of Bute councillor Liz McCabe and Dunoon councillor Daniel Hampsey also supported no increase.

The proposal will now be advertised and responses invited before Wednesday August 23.

‘People rely on taxis for shopping and other activities, it would be better to leave the prices as they stand.’