First taxi fare rise in a decade approved

TAXI fares across Exeter are to increase for the time in nearly 10 years.

The move, agreed by Exeter City Council’s ruling executive at its meeting on Tuesday, follows a request from both of the Exeter St David’s Hackney Carriage Associations.

Starting on January 1, hackney carriage tariffs will increase from £2.20 to £2.70 for the first 72 yards (or part thereof ) and £0.10 for each subsequent 72 yards (or part thereof ), between 7am and 7pm on any other day other than Sundays or Bank Holidays.

The tariff for journeys between 7pm and 7am and on Sundays will go up from £2.70 to £3.20 for the first 57 yards (or part thereof ) and £0.10 for each subsequent 57 yards (or part thereof ).

Fares will also go up on bank holidays as well as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

A consultation received two objections, while seven comments were in favour.

One objector, a member of the public, said: “As a disabled person, I need to rely on taxis quite often and would find the proposed increases unaffordable at a time when everything else is rising at rates far higher than my earnings.

“I realise these are only ‘maximum’ fares, however I can only imagine it will be exactly the same as the energy sector and everyone will charge it.”

A member of the public in favour commented: “I wish to make it known that I am fully in agreement to the proposed increases bearing in mind that there has been no fare increases since 2013 but associated costs have increased very significantly so I feel these are reasonable.”

A trade representative also defended the increase, stating: “Every year the trade has seen huge increases in the cost of repairs, purchase of vehicles, licensing costs and out-of-control insurance premiums – let alone fuel costs – and the whole taxi trade needs a boost to attract more drivers.”

The increased levels are the maximum fares that can be charged. Taxis are not tied to charging the maximum but cannot charge more than the price shown on the meter. The council’s executive unanimously approved the increases.