Driver protest fails to block Highland taxi fares hikeA CONTROVERSIAL taxi fare hike in the Highlands has been imposed by licensing chiefs – despite some drivers demanding the brakes were put on the move.
Passengers will have to fork out an extra 30p, regardless of the distance travelled, when they are first picked up by taxis in the "flag fall" – the initial amount on the meter.
It is currently £2.50, £3 and £3.60 for weekdays, nights and weekends and festive holidays, respectively.
The new rate agreed by the Highland Licensing Committee will come into effect from May 26.
An increase in the cost of outward journeys for hires starting three miles or more away from the taxi or its home base – whichever is nearer – was also ratified. It will go up from £6.50 to a maximum of £7.50.
More than 40 hard-pressed taxi drivers in Lochaber had objected to the price increase and called for drivers in rural locations to be licensed separately from Inverness.
They said they were struggling to attract passengers and warned the fare hike was not in their best interest.
But committee convener Maxine Smith said the Lochaber drivers had the flexibility to offer a cheaper rate to passengers if they wanted to. Taxi operators can charge any fare, provided it does not exceed the maximum provided for in the tariff.
The Inverness Taxi Alliance suggested a system like that used in Perth and Kinross but Councillor Smith said the licensing committee wanted to limit price increases because the economic climate was still challenging.
"There has been a lot of press coverage and a representation from Lochaber taxis who feel they don’t want an increase at all," said Councillor Smith.
"I think it is reasonable given that there are still some austerity measures and this is not as expensive for the public as suggested by the Inverness Taxi Alliance. Lochaber can do what they want to make it more palatable to their customers."
Committee member and Lochaber councillor Allan Henderson said he had no problem with the fare change because there was scope for drivers in his area to charge less.
The fare increases are the first in 18 months. The committee insisted it had considered the costs of operating taxis such as fuel and vehicle maintenance.
There are currently 786 licensed taxi drivers in the region.
Meanwhile, a small working group, made up of senior committee members, has been established to hold regular meetings with taxi groups to debate issues like pricing in the future.
http://www.highland-news.co.uk/News/Dri ... 042014.htm
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