Taxi fares to increase in west Berkshire
It's the first increase in 8 years
Hackney cab fares are set to increase in West Berkshire by five per cent.
The rise, the first since 2013, has been on the cards for the past two years.
The proposed increase sees the fares ‘rounded up’ to reduce the need for ‘change shrapnel’.
The matter will now go to public consultation, with the public and taxi trade invited to share their views on the proposal by mid October.
It will be decided at the next West Berkshire Council executive committee in November.
Drivers
Cab drivers were unofficially polled to canvas their views on proposed new tariffs on the table – with mixed response.
Of the 35 responses received, 83 per cent stated that they would like to retain the three tariffs currently in operation.
But 71 drivers on the Cabco circuit fully supported an increase of 10 per cent in fares, saying a fare increase was valid as they had not changed since 2013.
Most agreed that the special tariffs charged on New Year’s Eve and Christmas Day, when demand is usually high, should be kept.
Council
Councillor Graham Bridgman (Con, Burghfield and Mortimer) said the price system of fares needed to be “tidied up’” .
“What hasn’t come across is the meters needing a round number – they don’t want to be carrying around loads of shrapnel,” he told West Berkshire’s special licensing committee.
“The way in which the structure of the five per cent proposal is that that results in round numbers for the trigger distances within the mile. The rate is based on a 12th of a mile. It works out to a nice round zero at the end of the distance – making giving change easier.
“This is the proper compromise to reach between two ends of the scale.”
Tariff System
The tariff system currently uses fractions of distances and is difficult to understand.
The process of setting a fare increase is complex and a balance needs to be struck between the legitimate aims of the taxi trade to maintain profitability in the face of increasing costs, while protecting the public from excessive fares.
Local authorities have a statutory power to set the maximum fares that licensed hackney carriages (taxis) can charge for a journey.
Cab drivers do not have to charge the maximum fare.
Hackney carriages are entitled to use taxi ranks around the borough, where they can sit and wait for a fare. Private hire vehicles cannot use ranks. Hackney carriages can be hailed, or flagged down, anywhere in the borough. Private hire vehicles can only undertake pre-booked work through a licensed operator.
Reading v West Berkshire
Reading’s current fares are £4.80 for a mile, £7.20 for two miles, and £9.60 for three.
West Berkshire’s current fares are £4.50 for a mile, £6.65 for two miles, and £8.80 for three.