Taxi fares could increase in Fareham

People in Fareham could soon be facing higher taxi fares as drivers need to earn more money to make a living.

While there are concerns over the effects on elderly or vulnerable residents who rely on taxis, Fareham Borough Council’s licensing and regulatory affairs committee approved the rise after hearing about the falling numbers of drivers.

Under the proposed new hackney carriage tariffs, the minimum fare is set to rise from £3.00 to £3.20 to bring them more in line with rates in Gosport, the Fareham Taxi and Private Hire Association said.

Passengers will then be charged 20p for each succeeding 153 metres. A council officer said it would take a 5km journey from the current tariff of £8.60 to £9.40.

The soilage charge is also proposed to increase from £70 to £85. 

Council members agreed the charges were very reasonable as the trade does not ask for increases very frequently, the last rise was in 2022. The concern of the committee was to balance the needs of customers and the most vulnerable, elderly and disabled with the need of the drivers to make a living.

Chair of the committee, Cllr Pamela Bryant (Con, Uplands and Funtley) said: "We have had a very good working relationship with the taxi drivers associations for as long as I can remember. They’re normally extremely fair."

The council officer said the trade would not want to discourage people from taking taxis, with bus fares between Fareham and Gosport currently just £2.

The officer’s report said there has been a reduction in the number of applicants for hackney carriage drivers in the last two years – some retiring and others leaving to seek more lucrative employment. 

The association wants to encourage new applicants as a further shortage of taxis in Fareham could leave vulnerable people at risk, the report added. 

Councillor Andrew Murphy (Con, Titchfield Common) said even with the increased rate Fareham taxis are cheaper in comparison with some northern towns, for example, Hull.

Hackney carriages can be hailed in the street and work from taxi ranks across the borough. The drivers include a £1 charge to customers picking up from the railway station to cover the permit they need. All other taxi ranks in the town are free.

There are currently 115 hackney carriage vehicles licensed in the borough, 93 licensed hackney carriage drivers and 49 dual (hackney carriage and private hire) drivers. 

The increases were approved by the licensing and regulatory affairs committee on November 26 and will now go to the executive, next month for approval.

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